mmmi 


.ORIGIN   AND  PROGRESS 


or 


THE   ORDER 


or    THE 


PATRONS 


W  JL 


(' 


SBAMDRY 


IN    THK 


Initj^tr  BUxUb; 


A  HISTORY  FROM  1866  TO  1873. 


By  O.   H.  pELLEY, 

Skcrktary  of  the  National  Grange. 


PHILADELPHIA,  PA.: 
/.  A.    WAGENSELLER,  PUBLISHER. 


* 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,   in  the  year   1875, 

By    O.    H.    KELLEY, 

In  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress  at  Washington,  D.  C. 


ELKCTROTYPED,  PBINTKD  AND  BOUND 

By  J.  A.  WAGENSELLER, 
No.  J3  North  Suth  St.,  Fhiladkuhia,  P*. 


;  •  V*  ".  .'  ^  •  ••  •■  . 

•    :  •.  ......    ..    •••,'.  *•    •  .  I  '- 


PS  K.^ 


Z6>    r//£  ARMY 

OF 

WHO  HAVE  SO 
CHEERFULLY   GIVEN  THEIR   SUPPORT 

TO    OUR    ORDER, 

THIS  RECORD  OF  ITS  EARLY  DA  YS, 
■BY 

THE   AUTHOR. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I, 

Origin  of  the  Order,   . 

CrLAPTER  n, 

Organizing  of  Granges,    . 

CHAPTER  HI, 

Encouraging  Prospects, 

CHAPTER  R', 

"Work  of  the  Tear  1870,  . 

CHAPTER  Y, 

Success  Finally  Assured, 


•  • 


PAGES. 

11-90 

91-151 

152-217 

218-296 

297-357 


CHAPTER  YI, 

Victory  Through  Perseverance,  358—413 

CHAPTER  Vn, 

Permanent  Organization,         .  414-424 

ROLL  OF  HOXOR,       ....  425 

THE  EXPENDITURES,    .        .        .  426-430 

LIST  OF  DEPUTIES,  ....  431-442 


PUBLISHERS    PREFACE. 


N  the  preparation  of  this  History  of  tne 
Origin  and  Progress  of  the  Secret  Order  of 
the  Patrons  of  Husbandry  in  the  United  States — 
one  of  the  "most  beneficent  and  useful  secular 
institutions  in  our  country"- — the  Author  has  con- 
clusively shown,  chiefly  by  documentary  evidence, 
how  and  through  whom  the  Order  originated — 
who  were  its  main  supporters  and  organizers — its 
aims  and  objects — the  amount  of  money  received, 
and  how  disbursed — its  slow,  feeble  growth  at  the 
beginning,  and  the  numerous  obstacles  and  discour- 
agements to  be  overcome,  before  arriving  at  the 
period  of  assured  success  in  January,  1873,  when 
the  permanent  organization  of  the  National  Grange 
was  eifected  at  Georgetown,  D.  C. 

The  object  has  been  to  give  plain  facts,  avoiding 
all   unnecessary   comments.      In    making  extracts 

7 


viii.  Publisher's  Preface. 

from  the  many  letters,  and  in  copying  from  the  old 
records  historical  matter  which  otherwise  would 
never  have  been  published,  will  tend  to  settle  old 
controversies  and  diiFerences  relative  to  facts  and 
dates,  and  puts  in  convenient  form  opinions  which 
may  hereafter  be  valuable  for  reference.  As  will 
be  seen,  the  correspondents,  while  building  the 
Order,  were  unwittingly  writing  its  early  history  in 
their  daily  letters.  "What  could  be  more  simple  or 
reliable  ?    All  letters  are  on  file,  and  can  be  verified. 

The  Author  is  neither  an  historian  nor  polished 
writer,  but  a  Minnesota  farmer;  yet  no  one  know- 
ing him  will  fail  to  detect  his  handiwork  in  this 
volume.  All  labor  connected  with  its  preparation 
has  been  performed  either  before  or  after  the  ardu- 
ous duties  of  his  official  hours,  and  delivered  to  the 
Publisher  in  chapters,  as  prepared. 

The  perusing  of  the  old  letters — the  living  over 
again,  as  it  were,  those  early  cheerless  years  of 
severe  mental  and  physical  labors,  with  their  disap- 
pointments, privations  and  hardships — seem  to  have 
enveloped  the  Author  in  a  serious,  matter-of-fact 
mood,   and  deprived  the   reader   of  much  native 


Publisher's   Preface.  ix. 

humor.  It  is,  however,  a  source  of  unwonted 
satisfaction,  to  believe  that  those  earlier  years  of 
toil  and  sacrifice  for  the  cause,  have  already  con- 
tributed many  happy  hours  to  thousands  of  farmers' 
families,  besides  otherwise  securing  to  them  innu- 
merable benefits. 

The  unprecedented  success  of  this  Institution  is 
one  of  the  most  prominent  incentives  on  record,  to 
perseverance  under  trying  and  almost  insurmount- 
able difiiculties.  It  also  demonstrates  the  efficiency 
and  power  of  the  newspaper  press — than  the  united 
co-operation  of  which,  there  is  not  a  more  effective 
ally,  in  behalf  of  any  good  cause,  in  our  country. 

The  book  is  thoroughly  interesting  from  begin- 
ning to  end,  and  is  the  only  complete,  reliable 
History  of  the  Order  published.  "With  the  confi- 
dent hope  that  it  will  meet  the  expectations  of  all 
the  members,  and  gratify  the  general  public,  it  is 
now  issued  by 

THE    PUBLISHER. 

April,  1875. 


CHAPTER   I. 
ORIGIN   OF   THE    ORDER. 

'  T  is  generally  acknowledged  that  the  idea  of  the 
Order  of  the  Patrons  of  Husbandry  originated 
with  the  writer.  From  its  inception  he  has  given 
it  his  whole  attention,  and  hence  claims  to  be  tho- 
roughly informed  regarding  the  Avork,  as  it  pro- 
gressed, up  to  the  time  of  permanent  organization 
of  the  IN'ational  Grange,,  at  Georgetown,  D.  C,  in 
January,  1873.  Repeated  calls  from  many  associates, 
for  authentic  history,  prompts  him  to  comply,  and 
he  has  woven  together,  in  these  pages,  facts  that  he 
hopes  will  be  interesting,  and  which  show  an  instance 
of  success,  through  perseverance,  in  a  good  cause. 

Excessive  drought  in  Northern  Minnesota  during 
the  years  1862-63,  by  which  I  was  a  considerable 
sufferer,  and  the  favorable  reception  of  my  newspa- 
per contributions,  induced  me  to  accept  a  proposi- 
tion to  spend  the  winter  of  1864  in  "Washington, 
and  through  the  favor  of  Senator  Ramsey,  I  received 

a  clerkship  in  the  Department  of  Agriculture. 

11 


12  Patrons  of  Husbandly. 

I  formed  "but  few  ncquaintances  that  winter,  tlie 
only  one  of  real  intimacy  being  that  of  Rev.  John 
Trimble,  Jr.  By  agreement  with  Mr.  Newton,  I  re- 
turned to  Minnesota  in  the  spring  of  1865,  and  there 
remained  until  the  receipt  of  the  following  request: 

Department  op  Agricultuke, 
"Washington,  D.  C,  October  20th,  1865. 
O.  n.  Kelley,  Esq.,  Itasca,  Minn.  : 

Dear  Sir  : — I  am  exceedingly  anxious  to  have  you  como 
to  this  city  by  the  1st  proximo,  if  you  can  possibly  arrange  to  be 
here  by  that  time.  I  wish  to  see  you  on  special  business  requir- 
ing your  presence.     I  am,  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

Isaac  Newton,  Commissioner. 

I  reached  "Washington  early  in  November,  and  half 
an  hour's  interview  resulted  in  the  assurance  of  Mr. 
Kewton  that  I  should  have  an  appointment  to  go 
South  for  the  winter.  I  waited  rather  impatiently, 
and  after  several  weeks'  delay,  found  he  was  waver- 
ing relative  to  the  fulfillment  of  his  promise. 

Consulting  with  Doctor  Trimble,  I  laid  my  plans 
to  accomplish  my  purpose,  and  early  in  January  was 
favored  with  an  interview  with  President  Johnson. 
He  coincided  in  my  views,  relative  to  the  advantage 
to  be  gained  by  encouraging  immigration  to  the 
South,  and  assured  me  Mr.  Newton  should  make 
the  appointment.     It  was  done  the  same  day. 

January  13th,  1866, 1  left  "Washington  on  my  long 
cherished  trip,  bearing  the  following  commission : 


12 


REV.    JOHN     TRIMBLE,    JR. 


Origin  of  the '  Order,  ij 

,  Departmrnt  oi''  Aoricultuuk, 
Washington,  D.  C,  January  \st,  18GG. 

To  O.  H.  Kelley,  Esq.  : 

Sir  : — The  relations  of  the  Southern  States  with  the  Gov- 
ernment for  several  years  past  having  prevented  this  Department 
from  obtaining  the  usual  statistical  and  other  information  from 
those  States,  and  a  prevailing  desire  for  reliable  information 
being  manifested  on  the  part  of  the  people,  I  have  detemained, 
■with  the  advice  and  authority  of  his  Excellency,  the  President  of 
the  United  States,  to  appoint  you  an  Agent  of  this  Department, 
to  proceed  immediately  through  the  States  lately  in  hostility 
against  the  Government,  to  procure  such  information,  and  report 
the  same  to  this  Department  for  publication.  Having  reference 
to  the  enclosed  instructions,  you  will  immediately  enter  upon  the 
discharge  of  your  duties  as  such  Agent. 

Isaac  Newton,  Commissioner. 

My  instructions  required  me  to  communicate  at 
regular  intervals  with  the  Commissioner,  which  was 
done  promptly,  also  taldng  the  precaution  to  keep 
for  myself  a  daily  record  of  my  trip  and  observations. 

I  made  a  short  stay  in  Virginia  and  ISTorth  Caro- 
lina, and  reached  Charleston,  S.  C,  January  29th. 
Here  and  in  the  vicinity  I  remained  until  the  15th 
of  March,  visiting  rice  and>  cotton  plantations,  and 
obtaining  much  valuable  information.  In  my  inter- 
course with  the  planters  it  was  evidently  no  disad- 
vantage to  be  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity, 
and  as  such  I  was  cordially  received. 

On  the  morning  of  February  27th,  we  received 
news  from  Washington  that  the  white  troops  were 


i/f.  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

to  be  recalled  from  the  South.  This  caused  quite 
a  stir,  and  a  large  number  of  Northerners,  stopping 
at  the  Mills  House,  left  for  home  on  the  first  train. 
Referring  to  my  daily  record,  I  am  reminded  of  the 
eifects  of  the  information,  and  remarked  at  the  time, 
that  politicians  would  never  restore  peace  in  the 
country;  if  it  came  at  all,  it  must  be  through 
fraternity.  The  jpeoj>le  North  and  South  must  know 
each  other  as  members  of  the  same  great  family, 
and  all  sectionalism  be  abolished.  Among  the  capi- 
talists it  was  their  policy  to  depreciate  property  in 
the  South,  and  when  they  should  be  enabled  to  se- 
cure prominent  advantages,  then  a  more  liberal 
course  would  be  pursued. 

The  general  aim  of  my  visit  was  to  get  a  good 
knowledge  of  the  agricultural  and  mineral  resources 
of  the  South.  Hence  my  attention  was  devoted 
principally  to  the  planters  and  plantations.  "Wliile 
at  Charleston,  I  made  a  trip  up  the  Peedee  river, 
and  was  the  guest  of  Col.  Ben.  Alston,  from  whom 
I  gathered  much  valuable  information.  Though 
here  and  there  were  marks  of  devastation  by  the 
cruel  hand  of  war,  yet  there  was  a  fascination  that 
warmed  my  heart  towards  all  I  met. 

"While  traveling,  I  was  enjoying  a  lively  corres- 
pondence with  many  at  the  North,  and  mentioned, 
in  a  letter  to  my  neice,  Miss  C.  A.  Hall,  the  idea  of  a 


y^^^^t^^t^-^^^y^z-^^^  ^ 


J^. 


^^?c^^^^^^ 


Origin  of  the  Order.  15 

Secret  Society  of  Agriculturists,  as  an  element  to  re- 
store kindly  feelings  among  the  people.     At  Mobile 
I  received  her  reply,  in  which  she  expressed  sympa- 
thy for  the  women  of  the  South,  and  much  encour- 
aged  my   suggestion   that  an  organization  of  the 
farmers  of  the  country  might  prove  a  blessing.     At 
Savannah  I  met  P.  11.  Woodward,  with  whom  I  spent 
several  days,  and  then  accompanied  him  to  Augusta 
and  Atlanta.  From  January  until  May,  I  was  in  mo- 
tion through  the  several  States.     The  idea  of  associ- 
ation was  fast  getting  fixed  in  my  mind,  and  I  re- 
member comparing  the  Mississippi  and  its  tributa- 
ries to  a  national  organization  and  its  subordinates. 
At  Memphis,  left  the  boat  and  took  rail  for  Chat- 
tanooga, where  I  stopped  for  the  purpose  of  running 
down  to  Atlanta  to  meet  my  friend  "Woodward,  for 
a  parting  interview,  w^hen  I  gave  him  an  outline  of 
my  then  rough  plan  of  an  association.     On  reaching 
Washington,  April  21st,  I  made  but  a  short  stop, 
and  spent  the  afternoon   of  the  22d  with  Doctor 
Trimble.     On   leaving  Washington,   went  first  to 
Boston,  where  I  gave  Miss  Hall  my  views  of  the 
association,  in  their  crude  state,  to  which  she  sug- 
gested that  we  give  ladies  full  membership.     This 

FEATURE  ORIGINATED  WITH  HER. 

I  then  returned  home  to  Minnesota,  where  the 
summer  was  spent  at  work  upon  the  farm,  return- 


i6  Patrons  of  Husbandry, 

ing  to  "Washington  in  November.  During  that 
Summer,  a  plan  was  devised  by  which  I  hoped  to 
secure  a  certain  appointment  from  the  President, 
but  which  failed,  very  fortunately  for  myself.  I 
secured  an  appointment  in  the  Post  Office  Depart- 
ment early  in  January,  1867. 

Thus  far,  and  even  until  May,  I  had  done  no  real 
work  upon  the  Order,  only  merely  talked  about  it. 
The  6th  of  May,  1867, 1  made  the  acquaintance  of 
W.  M.  Ireland,  who  had  just  received  the  appoint- 
ment of  Chief  Clerk  of  the  Finance  Office  of  the 
Post  Office  Department.  We  occupied  the  same 
room  in  the  Department  for  several  weeks.  Find- 
ing him  a  prominent  member  of  the  Masonic  Order, 
I  broached  the  subject  of  my  contemplated  associa- 
tion. He  joined  in  with  it,  and  so  encouraged  me 
that  I  began  penciling  out  a  plan  for  a  Ritual.  The 
skeleton  of  the  Degree  of  Maid  was  the  first  written, 
and  was  sent  to  my  niece.  Miss  Hall,  on  the  slips  of 
paper  it  was  originally  sketched  upon,  and  return- 
ed, with  her  criticisms. 

In  July  I  chanced  to  meet  Mr.  William  Saun- 
ders, whom  I  had  not  seen  since  my  first  winter  in 
Washington.  During  August,  I  introduced  him  to 
Ireland,  and  at  one  of  our  interviews  we  told  him 
of  our  proposed  association.      He   said  it  might 


17 


W.    M.    IRELAND. 


OrigiK    of  the  Order.  jy 

prove  a  good  thing  for  the  farmers,  but  the  secret 
feature  lie  feared  would  be  an  objection. 

I  afterwards  suggested  to  Ireland  that  Mr.  Saun- 
ders niiuht  l)e  a  valuable  aid  to  us,  owing-  to  his 
position  in  tlie  Department  of  Agriculture.  He 
acquiesced,  and  we  talked  over  our  project  more 
fully  Avith  him,  Mr.  Saunders  informed  us  of  his 
intended  visit  to  St.  Louis,  to  attend  the  meeting 
of  the  United  States  Pomological  Society,  and  said 
if  we  would  give  him  in  writing  an  outline  of  the 
proposed  society,  he  would  submit  it  to  some  of 
those  he  should  meet,  and  see  how  it  would  take. 

I  gave  him  the  following 

OUTLINE    OF    THE    ORDER: 

August,  1867. 
William  Saxjndeks,  Esq., — Deak  Sir  : 

Notwithstanding  a  large  majority  of  llie  people  of  this 
country  are  directly  engaged  in  Agriculture,  I  regret  to  say 
in  my  travels  North  and  South,  East  and  West,  I  find  there  is  a 
great  lack  of  interest  on  the  part  of  farmers, — a  visible  want 
of  energy  on  their  part  to  favor  progressive  agriculture.  Where 
we  find  one  who  reads  agricultural  books  and  papers,  there  are 
ten  or  more  who  consider  "book  farming,"  as  they  term  it, 
nonsense.  This  average  is  too  small.  In  one  of  our  Western 
States,  after  making  a  general  investigation,  I  found  the  circula- 
tion of  purely  agricultural  papers  was  hut  one  to  every  two  hun- 
dred and  thirty  inhabitants  ;  and  libraries  of  fiftj^  bound  volumes 
were  exceptions,  yet  but  very  few  who  could  not  read  and  write. 
Their  system  of  farming  was  the  same  as  tliat  handed  down  by 


1 8  The  Patrons  of  Husbandjy. 

generations  gone  by,  with  the  exception  that  economy  prompted 
them  to  use  reaping  and  threshing  machines.     Of  the  science  of 
agriculture,  the  natural  laws  that  govern  the  growth  of  plants  and  . 
kindred  subjects  of  pleasing  and  vital  interest  to  farmers,  when 
once  they  turn  their  attention  to  them,  there  was  ninety  per  cent. 
who  were  totally  ignorant. 

A.gricultural  editors  have  worked  faithfully  for  years,  to  induce 
our  rural  population  to  read  and  think— their  increasing  circula- 
tion (that  of  older  papers)  indicates  that  they  have  made  some 
progress,  but  we  see  there  is  something  wanted  to  produce  an  ex- 
citement which,  when  once  created,  we  can  throw  on  fuel  and 
increase  the  flame. 

Agricultural  societies  have  done  much  good  by  establishing 
fairs ;  yet  these  are  generally  the  work  of  a  few  right-minded, 
enthusiastic  men,  aided  oftentimes  by  aspiring  politicians.  At 
these  fairs  the  great  attractions  generally  are  implements  and 
works  of  art,  while  the  products  of  the  soil  oflFer  the  least  attrac- 
tions, and  to  bring  the  farmers  out  in  any  numbers,  it  is  actually 
necessary  to  introduce,  as  a  prominent  feature,  horse-races  and 
numerous  side-shows. 

I  think  we  can  revolutionize  all  this,  and  T  suggest  the  project 
of  organizing  an  Order  to  embrace  in  its  membership  only  those 
persons  directly  interested  in  cultivating  the  soil.  I  should  make 
it  a  secret  order,  with  several  degrees,  and  signs  and  passwords. 
The  lectures  in  each  degree  should  be  practical,  appertaining  to 
agricultural  work,  at  the  same  time  convey  a  moral  lesson. 
While  the  order  would  aim  to  advance  agriculture  to  a  higher 
rank,  by  encouraging  educition,  it  would  at  the  same  time  natu- 
rally embrace  the  benefits  to  its  members  guaranteed  by  Masonry. 
Every  tool  used  by  farmers  and  gardeners  could  be  emblems  of 
the  Order  in  some  degree,  and  each  convey  a  practical  and  moral 
illustration.  Being  a  rural  organization,  lotlge  furniture  need 
not  be  extravagant,  yet  appropriate. 


Origin  of  the  Order.  ig 

Of  membership,  I  should  advocate  both  sexes  being  admitted, 
having  separate  degrees  for  the  ladies,  yet  all  meet  in  common. 
Making  the  expense  of  each  degree  but  one  dollar,  would  place  it 
within  the  means  of  all.  The  secrecy  would  lend  an  interest  and 
peculiar  fascination,  while  the  material  for  manufacturing  new 
degrees  to  keep  up  an  interest,  would  be  inexhaustible  ;  and  here 
I  can  safely  say  no  Order  could  surpass  this  in  sublimity  of  the 
degrees  that  can  be  introduced. 

My  plan  of  work  is  this  :  Having  a  complete,  but  temporary 
organization  of  an  United  States  lodge,  dispensations  are  to  be 
granted  to  lecturers  to  organize  in  several  counties  in  each  State  ; 
these  county  organizations  to  elect  one  delegate  each  to  the  State 
organization,  and  the  State  organization  one  each  to  the  United 
States.  As  soon  as  the  majority  of  the  States  shall  be  represented, 
the  temporary  organization  shall  be  permanently  organized  by 
the  United  States  delegates.  A  small  fee  from  each  membership 
shall  be  annually  paid  to  the  united  organization,  and  this  will 
defray  its  expenses. 

The  grand  head  of  the  organizations  will  be  an  auxiliary  to  the 
department  of  agriculture;  and  as  soon  as  this  shall  become  a  per- 
manent department,  with  its  Secretary  in  the  Cabinet,  it  seems 
to  me  Government  can  aid  materially  in  advancing  the  agri- 
cultural interests  of  the  entire  country.  I  should  object  to  any 
State,  or  United  States  delegate,  holding  any  Government  or 
State  political  appointment,  while  serving  in  that  capacity,  and 
thus  keep  it  free  from  contamination.  I  should  advocate  the  de- 
partment sending  out  agents,  men  of  known  ability,  for  the  collec- 
tion of  statistical  information,  who  should  be  versed  as  botanists, 
horticulturists,  entomologists,  etc.,  who  should  deliver  free  lec- 
tures for  the  organizations,  and  to  which  the  Order  should  invite 
the  public.  In  this  way,  by  practical  lectures  properly  illus- 
trated, a  vast  amount  of  good  could  be  effected  through  appro- 


20  The  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

priatioas  of  Congress,  and  hardly  any  member  of  Congress  would] 
wish  to  vote  against  appropriations  that  would  be  called  for  by 
the  department. 

There  is  nothing  now  that  binds  the  farmers  together,  and  I 
think  such  an  Order  would,  with  the  most  cheerful  results.  Its 
tendency  would  be  to  encourage  the  circulation  of  our  agricultu- 
ral newspapers,  which  insure  the  co-operation  of  the  editors.  It 
will  increase  the  demand  for  fruit  trees  and  nursery  products,  se- 
curing the  support  of  horticulturists,  etc.  We  only  need  to  secure 
the  approval  of  our  leading  agriculturists.  If  such  gentlemen  as 
Col.  Wilder,  Barry,  yourself  and  others,  besides  the  editors  of 
the  agricultural  press,  will  endorse  the  movement,  it  can  possibly 
be  inaugurated  by  the  middle  of  September. 

Trusting  these  views  will  meet  with  your  hearty  approval,  I 

remain  Your  sincere  friend, 

Fraternally, 

O.  H.  Kelley. 

P.  S. — I  venture   to  enclose  the  initiatory  degree  for  your 
perusal. 

Mr.  Saunders  left  about  the  middle  of  August, 
and  the  first  tidings  we  had  of  him  was  at  San- 
dusky, where  he  wrote  as  follows: 

Sandusky,  August  dOth,  1867. 
Friend  Kellet  : 

I  have  been  so  constantly  engaged  that  this  is  my 
first  writing  opportunity.  I  am  getting  along  very  well  and 
seeing  much.  I  have  mentioned  your  Order  to  a  good  many, 
and  all  agree  in  considering  the  thing  a  grand  idea.  Some  will 
write  you  on  the  subject  when  they  reach  home— «o  they  pro- 
posed. I  have  been  with  a  party  of  excursionists  for  three  days. 
This  morning  I  am  free.  Will  remain  here  this  day,  Cleveland 
to-morrow,  and  leave  for  Cincinnati  on  Monday. 

Yours  truly,  Wm.  Saunders. 


ANSON    BARTLETT. 


Origin  of  the  Order.  21 

This  sliort  letter  gave  me  decided  pleasure.  It 
brought  encouragement,  tliougli  of  only  a  few 
lines;  and  here  let  me  say  my  disposition  was  then 
such  that  it  took  very  few  cheerful  words  to  stimu- 
late, or  the  same  amount  of  censure  to  depress  me. 
I  sought  Ireland  with  a  happy  heart,  and  we  took 
counsel  over  our  work.  My  room  (N'o.  48,)  at  the 
Hotel,  had  become  our  general  headquarters,  and 
every  afternoon,  between  5  and  6  o'clock,  we  sat 
down  for  a  cheerful  smoke,  and  usually  were  joined 
by  Dr.  Trimble. 

I  presume  one  of  the  most  encouraging  letters 
we  ever  received,  was  the  following  from  Anson 
Bartlett,  as  it  was  the  first  from  any  one  outside 
of  our  circle: 

North  Madison,  Lake  Co.,  Ohio,  Be'pt.  2d,  1867. 

O.  H.  Kelley,  Washington,  D.  C, — 
My  Dear  Sir  : 

In  a  private  conversation  with  Mr.  Saunders,  of  the 
Department  of  Agriculture,  a  few  days  since,  I  was  informed  by 
him  that  you  were  engaged  in  an  endeavor  to  introduce  a  new  se- 
cret Order,  under  the  title  of  Agricultural  Lodges,  or  some  equiva- 
lent, and  that  you  would  probably  be  willing  to  correspond  with  me 
upon  the  subject  of  introducing  the  same  in  this  place.  I  there- 
fore venture  to  address  you,  asking  such  information  as  you  may 
be  willing  to  impart,  promising  that  all  such  shall  be  considered 
as  strictly  on  the  square.  For  any  inquiries  you  wish  to  make,  I 
refer  to— (Masonic  reference  in  Charndon,  Ohio). 

Fraternally  yours, 

Akson  Bartlett. 


22  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

I  did  not  sleep  before  the   following  reply  was 
penned : 

Washingtok,  D.  C,  Sept.  UU,  1867. 
A.  Bartlett,  Esq.,  North  Madison,  O., — 
My  Dear  Sir  : 

Your  favor  of  the  2(1  has  been  received.  I  am  much 
pleased  to  learn  from  you,  as  well  as  from  friend  Saunders,  that  my 
idea  of  organizing  an  Order  of  agriculture  meets  with  so  much 
favor.  I  commenced  as  a  farmer  in  Minnesota  in  1849,  when  the 
Indians  predominated  in  that  now  prosperous  State.  Being  a 
Boston  boy,  I  naturally  put  theory  and  practice  together  in  my 
work,  and  have  tried  to  inculcate  the  same  among  my  neighbors. 
Perhaps  I  have  done  some  good.  I  have  traveled  some  in  our 
glorious  country — for  it  still  exists  as  God  made  it,  notwithstand- 
ing the  political  troubles.  I  have  noticed  particularly  those  en- 
gaged in  cultivating  the  soil,  who  comprise  the  bulk  of  the  popu- 
lation, and  among  these  are  noble  minds, — rough  diamonds,  that 
only  need  the  polishing  wheel  of  education  to  show  their  real 
value.  Agricultural  papers  and  works  of  art  are  doing  much 
good  among  those  who  will  read  and  think.  Agricultural  fairs 
have  accomplished  much,  but  these  come  but  once  a  year,  and 
while  being  advertised,  create  an  interest ;  but  as  soon  as  they 
are  over,  the  interest  is  gone. 

Now  what  I  design  is  this  :  An  Order  that  will  create  an  inter- 
est, and  keep  it  up.  Country  and  town  societies  and  clubs  are 
interesting  for  a  while,  but  soon  lose  their  interest,  and  I  see 
nothing  that  will  be  lasting,  unless  it  combine  with  it  the  advan- 
tages which  an  Order  similar  to  our  Masonic  fraternity  will  pro- 
vide. Among  the  objects  in  view  may  be  mentioned  a  cordial  and 
social  fraternity  of  the  farmers  all  over  the  country.  Encourage 
them  to  read  and  think  ;  to  plant  fruits  and  flowers, — beautify  their 
homes  ;  elevate  them  ;  make  them  progressive.     In  our  lectures 


Origin  of  the  Order.  2j 

in  tho  various  degrees,  just  see  what  a  fund  of  beautiful  material 
we  have  to  make  them  sublime.  Every  tool  the  farmer  works 
with,  and  all  his  surroundings,  the  beauties  of  nature,  can  convey 
a  moral  illustrated  lesson,  and  in  the  labors  of  the  farm  also,— the 
preparation  of  the  soil  (the  mind)  for  the  seed  (ideas)— planting— 
the  harvest,  etc.  A  feature  was  suggested  by  Mr.  Saunders,  to 
discourage  the  use  of  distilled  liquors,  and  if  any  beverage  is 
needed,  let  it  be  pure  native  wines.  Make  it  incumbent  upon 
every  member  to  plant  at  least  one  fruit  tree  and  one  vino 
annually. 

I  am  glad  you  feel  an  interest  in  the  matter,  and  desire  to  have 
you  express  yourself  freely.  Your  counsel,  and  that  of  your  con- 
fidential friends,  is  most  earnestly  solicited.  I  am  confident,  that 
if  we  take  hold  of  the  matter  in  good  earnest,  we  can  make  it  a 
pojjular  and  permanent  institution  in  a  very  short  time  ;  and  by 
having  the  fee  of  membership  at  a  low  sum — say  one  dollar  for 
each  degree — can,  in  twelve  months,  number  our  brothers  by  the 
million.  As  it  must  naturally  encourage  the  increase  of  subscri- 
bers to  agricultural  papers,  the  editors  will  favor  us  ;  and  printer's 
ink,  you  know,  is  a  valuable  article  when  judiciously  used. 

I  have  associated  with  me  here  two  brother  Masons, — Brothers 
Ireland  and  Trimble, — whose  advice  I  need  to  lay  out  the  work 
on  a  scale  of  sufficient  magnitude  for  a  large  Order. 

My  plan  is  this  :  As  soon  as  we  can  get  the  work  in  the  differ- 
ent degrees  perfected,  then  make  one  person  at  least  in  each  State 
familiar  with  the  work,  and  give  him  an  appointment,  with  full 
poAver  to  organize  a  Lodge,  and  from  this  spread  it  into  each 
county  in  the  State.  From  each  Subordinate  Lodge  send  one 
delegate  to  the  State  Lodge,  which  shall  be  composed  of  these 
delegates.  Each  State  Lodge  to  send  annually  one  delegate  to 
the  United  States  Lodge,  they  to  constitute  that  Lodge. 

To  keep  it  free  from  convulsions,  I  would  suggest  that  reli- 


2^  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

gious  or  political  questions  be  forbidden  to  be  introduced  in  the 
Lodges,  and  delegates  be  persons  who  do  not  hold  Government 
appointments.  To  commence  with,  and  to  have  a  working  head, 
by  mutual  consent,  some  of  us  here  will  organize,  as  the  officers 
of  the  United  States  Lodge,  and  grant  dispensations  and  charters 
until  a  majority  of  the  States  send  delegates,  when  we  will  hand 
the  work  over  to  these  delegates.  I  suggest,  for  the  commence- 
ment, that  we  have  four  degrees,  representing  the  four  seasons. 
Others  can  be  added,  as  it  is  deemed  necessary  to  add  new  inter- 
est; then  when  we  shall  come  together,  interested  in  the  work, 
with  the  vast  amount  of  talent  that  can  thus  be  united,  we  shall 
be  able  to  get  up  some  degrees  that  will  surpass  in  magnificence 
of  language  and  tableaux,  anything  now  in  existence. 

It  is  intended  to  have  the  Lodge-rooms  elaborately  decorated 
with  evergreens,  etc. 

As  our  wives  and  daughters  are  generally  attractive  features  in 
rural  life,  I  have  planned  the  work  to  have  them  active  laborers 
with  us,  in  full  communion,  and  propose  to  make  a  male  and 
female  form  for  each  degree.  Among  civilized  people  in  the 
country,  this  will  make  the  meetings  of  the  Lodges  sociable  re- 
unions. 

I  have  avoided  as  much  form  as  possible  in  the  ceremonies,  so 
that  members  shall  not  tire  of  the  work,  as  in  the  Masonic  Order. 

One  or  more  c^an  be  initiated  or  passed  at  the  same  time.  As 
soon  as  Lodge  work  is  over,  open  the  doors  and  admit  the  public, 
or  have  regular  evenings  for  the  public  to  be  present,  to  listen  to 
lectures  or  discussions,  and  have  these  frequent — once  a  week,  if 
possible. 

Let  the  Department  of  Agriculture  send  out  the  most  capable 
and  talented  men  in  the  country,  to  lecture  before  the  Lodges 
upon  horticulture,  etc.,  giving  illustrated  lectures.  Let  each 
Lodge  have  a  fair  every  Fall,  and  require  every  member  to  ex- 


Origin  of  the  Order.  2^ 

hibit  at  least  one  bushel  of  some  kind  of  produce,  this  to  be  the 
property  of  the  Lodge,  to  be  given  to  the  poor  under  its  charge. 

While  in  Masonry  there  is  much  that  is  speculative,  there  will 
be  in  this  Order  little  else  but  operative  features.  It  -will  not  call 
the  members'  minds  from  their  work,  but  every  tool  they  touch 
upon  the  farm  in  their  daily  labors,  will  call  up  some  good  thing 
they  have  learned  in  the  Lodge. 

I  fear  I  shall  tire  you  with  so  long  a  letter,  but  I  feel  interested 
in  the  subject.  I  long  to  see  the  great  army  of  producers  in  our 
country,  turn  their  eyes  up  from  their  work  ;  stir  up  those  brains, 
now  mere  machines  ;  get  them  in  motion  in  the  right  direction  ; 
make  them  discard  their  old  almanacs  and  signs  of  the  moon  ; 
and  just  imagine  what  a  volcanic  eruption  we  can  produce  in  this 
age.  Every  thing  is  progressing.  Why  not  the  farmers  ?  The 
inventive  genius  of  the  country  is  continually  at  work  improving 
tools,  and  farmers  remain  passive.  I  was  amused  while  traveling 
among  the  planters  in  the  South,  a  year  ago,  to  see  their  eyes 
open  when  I  told  them  of  the  machinery  in  use  upon  our  Western 
farms. 

I  cannot  close  without  thanking  you  for  your  letter,  at  the 
game  time  assure  you  that  in  this  work  we  shall  be  endorsed  by 
Hon.  John  W.  Stokes,  Acting  Commissioner  of  Agriculture,  who 
will  do  all  in  his  power,  compatible  with  his  position,  to  en- 
courage our  work. , 

As  soon  as  I  can  complete  my  arrangements  here,  I  hope  to  be 
able  to  visit  gentlemen  in  the  Western  States,  who  may  feel  an  inter- 
est in  the  work,  and  assist  them  in  organizing  Lodges.  Do  me  the 
favor  to  consult  with  some  of  your  friends,  and  suggest  an  appro- 
priate name  for  the  Order.  The  principal  officers  in  a  Lodge 
will  be  a  Master,  Overseer,  Chaplain,  Steward.  Assistant  Stew- 
ard, Gate  Keeper,  Secretary  and  Treasurer.  Ceres,  Pomona 
and  Flora,  will  be  represented  in  the  different  degrees  by  ladies, 
in  costume. 


26  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

You  are  at  liberty  to  exhibit  this  to  such  persons  as  you  desire 
to  interest  in  tlie  work,  although  it  has  been  hastily  written  as  a 
preface  to  further  correspondence.  As  soon  as  Mr.  Saunders  re- 
turns, we  hope  to  be  ready  to  commence  the  work  here,  and  get 
Lodge  number  one  in  working  order. 

Yours  fraternally, 

O.  H.  Kelley. 

"While  waiting  the  reply  of  Bartlett,  I  worked  up 
the  Installation  Ceremonies,  and  laid  them  aside  for 
future  use.  I  lost  no  time,  but  kept  reading  and 
studying  to  get  proper  lectures  and  charges  for  the 
various  officers  in  the  degree  work. 

At  the  Post  Office  Department,  Doctor  Lowrie 
interested  himself  materially.  In  sketching  regalia 
and  emblems,  we  had  some  little  amusement;  also 
in  suggesting  names  for  the  Order. 

Doctor  Trimble  was  at  my  room  on  the  evening 

of  the  5th  of  September,  and  we  were  talking  over  the 

project  of  the  Order.     I  wanted  him  to  assist  me  in 

composing  some  portion  of  the  degree  work, — some 

of  the  charges, — but  he  advised  me  to  avoid  any 

composition  by  clergymen,  as  they  would  sermonize 

and  be  prosy.     I  then  urged  him  to  help  me  in 

getting   some  appropriate  songs.     The  next  day  I 

received  the  following  note : 

Washington,  D.  C,  September  Wi,  1867. 
Dear  Kelley  : 

Get  the  Intellic/encer  of  to-day  (Friday),  and  read,  cut  out 

and  preserve,  the  poem  on  the  last  page,  entitled  the   "Sword 


Origin  of  the  Order.  2y 

and  tlie  Plough."  It  seems  to  have  been  written  expressly  for 
your  Order.  It  is  very  exquisite.  Please  show  it  to  Mr. 
Stokes  ;  he  ought  to  see  it  by  all  means. 

Yours  truly,  John  Trimble,  Ju. 

The  peculiar  position  in  which  the  Doctor  placed 
himself,  was  that  of  a  friendly  counsellor,  but  deter- 
mined not  to  be  an  officer.  lie  said  his  aspirations 
were  simply  to  be  a  "high  private."  He  was  satis- 
fied I  had  got  the  organization  of  the  farmers  "  on 
the  brain,"  and  if  we  could  get  up  anything  that 
ivould  make  them  stick  together,  it  would  be  a 
grand  move.  But  we  had  undertaken  a  great  task. 
Said  he,  frequently,  "  Go  ahead,  and  if  you  make  it 
a  success,  I  will  hold  up  both  hands,  and  say, 
'didn't  I  tell  you  so?'" 

On  September  18th,  we  were  pleased  with  the 

following  from  Bartlett,  which,  with  the  answer, 

will  give  some  of  our  views  at  the  time.     Ireland, 

Trimble,   and   myself,  constituted  the    "we"   that 

day. 

North  Madison,  Ohio,  September  15th,  1867, 
O.  H.  KIelley,  Esq.: 
Dear  Sir  : 

Yours  of  the  4th  instant  came  duly  to  hand,  and  I 
should  have  answered  it  sooner,  but  wished  to  consult  with  some 
friends  in  relation  to  the  proposed  Order.  All  with  whom  I 
have  conversed  about  it,  seemed  to  be  highly  pleased  with  the 
idea,  and  are  of  the  same  opinion  as  myself:  that  you  have 
struck  a  plan  which  will,  when  fully  inaugurated,  be  a  truly 


28  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

splendid  thing,  and  must  very  soon  (if  properly  perfected  in  all 
its  details),  become  a  tremendous  power  in  the  land.  Allow  me 
to  suggest,  in  perfecting  the  work,  that  much  good  may  ulti- 
mately result  by  making  haste  slowly.  We  wish  to  inaugurate 
such  an  institution  as  will  stand  the  test  of  age  and  experience, 
and  would  like  to  see  the  work,  in  all  its  parts,  so  perfected,  that 
no  subsequent  alterations  or  amendments  will  be  needed,  ehher 
in  the  Ritual  or  Lectures.  It  appears  to  me  the  times  demand 
such  an  institution,  and  that  by  enlisting  a  few  of  the  most 
powerful  minds  in  the  work,  its  grandeur  and  importance, 
together  with  the  sublimity  of  the  subject,  would  so  inspire 
them,  that  in  future  years  we  should  only  more  and  more  admire 
the  beautiful  structure, — the  work  of  their  minds.  Let  us  have 
something  as  near  perfect  as  may  be  ;  the  subject  is  certainly  sus- 
ceptible of  being  adorned  with  the  choicest  language.  There- 
fore, if  not  presuming  too  much,  permit  me  to  urge  you  not  to 
allow  your  anxiety  to  see  the  Order  in  operation,  induce  you  to 
pass  lightly  upon  any  part  in  the  preparation.         *        *        * 

Would  it  not  be  better  to  drop  the  name  "  Lodges,"  and  give 
the  organized  bodies  of  the  Order  some  name.derired  from,  or 
applied  to,  the  cultivation  of  the  soil?  There  exists  in  the  minds 
of  some,  a  prejudice  against  anything  under  the  appellation  of 
Lodge.  The  farm,  the  garden,  or  the  vineyard,  would  be  more 
appropriate,  and  not  likely  to  excite  opposition.  "Work  in  the 
Vineyard,"  "Work  in  the  Garden, "  instead  of  "Work  in  the 
Lodge."  How  does  it  strike  j-ou?  In  regard  to  a  name  for  the 
Order,  I  would  have  it  significant  and  suggestive  of  our  c;\lling. 
Neither  myself  nor  my  friends  have  been  able  to  satisfy  our- 
selves as  yet.    How  would  "  Independent  Farmers  "  do? 

Your  idea  of  female  membership  is  all  right,  and  Avill  give 
general  satisfxctinn.  In  regard  to  fees  for  membership,  is  one 
dollar  for  each  degree  sufficient?      It  seems  to  me   it   is  not 


Origin  of  the  Order.  2g 

enough,  unless  large  dues  are  exacted,  and  my  experience  is,  if 
liirge  dues  are  assessed,  it  will  be  a  source  of  dissatisfaction,  and 
will  have  a  damaging  effect.  I  really  do  not  see  how  the  matter 
can  be  arranged,  without  incurring  a  debt  which  would  be  a 
serious  hindrance,  and  cripple  the  usefulness  of  the  Institution. 
Something  might  be  realized,  it  is  true,  by  Fairs  and  Lectures, 
as  well  as  fees  and  dues;  but  in  this  age  "money  makes  the 
mare  go."  In  my  view  of  the  matter,  this  Order  ought  to  be  a 
wealthy  one,  with  money  in  the  treasury,  not  only  for  the 
assistance  of  distressed  members,  but  also  to  loan  to  needy 
brothers  and  sisters,  under  proper  limitations.  But  leaving  out 
of  sight  the  last,  a  large  fund  will  be  absolutely  necessary. 
Therefore,  I  would  be  in  favor  of  a  larger  initiation  fee  than  one 
dollar  for  a  degree.  I  would  like  to  see,  not  only  women 
admitted  to  membership,  but  boys  and  girls  as  well,— boys  at 
fourteen  to  sixteen  years  of  age,  and  girls  of  twelve  to  fourteen. 
There  is  a  time  in  the  life  of  every  farmer's  boy  when  he 
becomes  disgusted  with  farm  life.  At  or  before  that  time  I 
would  admit  him  in  the  Order  (not  to  full  and  complete  member- 
ship), and  try  to  educate  him  to  a  love  of  the  occupation. 

Very  truly  yours,  A.  Bartlett. 

I  answered  as  follows : 

"Washington,  D.  C.   September  \Stli,  1867. 
Dear  Brother  Bartlett  : 

Yours  of  the  15th  received,  and  though  late  at  night,  I 
will  reply.  I  am  highly  encouraged  that  you  are  so  well  pleased 
with  the  idea,  and  your  views  coincide  with  mine  so  closely, 
that  I  shall  insist  on  your  lending  a  helping  hand  in  the  con- 
struction of  the  work. 

I  will  reply  to  your  letter  at  length.     The  first  item  is  the 
tremendous  power  such  an  organization  will  possess.     I  agree 


J) 


o  The  Patroiis  of  Hiisbandiy. 


with  you,  and  have  duly  considered  it.  Presuming  half  the 
agricultural  population  are  firmly  bound  through  this  Order, 
where  will  the  political  demagogues  find  supporters  ?  But  we 
must  avoid  politics  and  religion,  else  we  shall  strike  breakers ; 
yet  we  can  exert  a  quiet  influence. 

You  are  right :  the  work,  lectures,  etc.,  must  be  perfect  before 
it  is  made  public,  and  you  must  help  perfect  it.  I  spend  all  the 
time  I  can,  out  of  oflice  hours,  upon  it, — but  one  needs  to  be  in 
the  country  to  work  upon  such  matter.  A  crowded  city,  amid 
political  excitements,  is  a  hard  place  to  collect  brilliant  ideas 
upon  agriculture. 

As  to  the  name  "  Lodges, "  it  is  conceded  this  is  not  appropriate, 
and  each  of  us  has  suggested  names  :  "Fields,"  '*  Farms,"  "Bee- 
Hives,"  "Gardens,"  etc.  You  and  your  friends  must  consider 
yourselves  as  much  interested  in  the  work  as  we  are  here.  The 
name  of  the  Order  is  another  verj'  important  matter,  — I  presume 
fifty  have  been  suggested.  ' '  Independent  Order  of  Progressive 
Farmers, "  was  one  ;  "  Knights  of  the  Plow  ;"  "  Knights  of  the 
Sickle  ;"  "Knights  of  the  Flail."  These  knights  may  come  in 
very  appropriate  in  branches  of  the  Order,  or  higher  degrees,  as 
the  Knights  Templars  in  the  Masonic.  ' '  Independent  Farmers  " 
is  a  good  name.  Fees  of  membership  need  careful  studying. 
In  Masonry,  they  are  so  high,  many  are  kept  out  on  that 
account.  "We  want,  in  our  Order,  to  have  them  fixed  at  such 
figures  as  will  not  be  an  obstacle,  yet  be  suflScient  to  carry  out 
the  work.  If  put  at  a  low  figure,  we  should  make  up  the 
amount  in  the  increase  of  members.  If  we  have  great  numbers 
and  small  fees,  we  get  more  ears  and  workers.  We  want  to 
bring  in  the  whole  farming  community, — get  the  brains  inside 
the  vineyard,  then  put  ideas  into  the  brains, — set  them  to 
thinking, — let  them  feel  that  they  are  human  beings,  and  the 
rtrength  of  the  nation,  their  labor  honorable,  and  farming  the 


Origin  of  the  Order.  JT 

highest  calling  on  earth.  Your  idea  of  assisting  the  needy 
members,  is  good  and  worthy  of  consideration.  Your  last  sug- 
gestion is  capital,  and  I  join  in  it  with  all  my  heart ;  that  is,  to 
bring  in  the  boys  and  girls,  and  as  fast  as  they  prove,  by  good 
behavior  and  ability,  that  they  are  worthy  of  advancement,  give 
them  a  higher  degree.  It  will  stimulate  them  to  be  temperate, 
studious,  and  good.  It  is  a  glorious  idea  ;  they  will  feel  they  are 
respected. 

I  hope  to  see  every  Vineyard  provided  with  a  Library,  and 
from  that  they  can  have  books  to  impregnate  their  minds  with 
sound  sense.  I  will  now  give  you  my  idea  of  the  inside  of  a 
Vineyard— [here  follows  several  pages  of  outlines  of  the  Ritual, 
very  much  as  it  was  first  introduced].  In  what  I  have  written 
thus  far,  I  have  introduced  the  character  of  Bacchus,  but  to  be 
known  outside  as  the  Vine-dresser.  The  name  of  Bacchus  may 
be  offensive  to  some  ;  at  the  same  time  we  want  to  encourage  the 
growth  of  the  grape.  I  do  not  favor  bringing  the  temperance 
question  up,  any  more  than  politics  or  religion,  in  a  universal 
Order,  of  this  kind ;  I  have  more  faith  in  moral  suasion  and 
example,  than  in  prohibitory  laws.  We  are  now  started  in  a 
noble  work,  and  we  must  write  freely  our  ideas.  I  have  blocked 
out,  in  a  rough  manner,  the  outlines  of  the  degrees.  I  enclose 
you  the  third  and  fourth,  which  I  wish  you  to  perfect.  Fix 
them  up  to  suit  your  views,  and  then  we  will  compare  notes. 
For  each  degree,  it  is  intended  to  have  side  degrees  for  the 
ladies,  to  be  conferred  in  open  Vineyard,  and  they  will  be 
present,  of  course,  while  the  men  receive  theirs.  In  the  harvest, 
I  design  having  a  feast,  to  consist  of  a  pic-nic  at  a  side  table, 
presuming  that  many  of  the  members  in  the  country  who  might 
come  from  a  distance,  would  enjoy  such  refreshment  on  such  an 
occasion. 
I  am  working  on  the  first  and  second  degrees;  also  Lodge 


J 


2  TJie  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 


work  regulations,  etc.,  of  the  Grand  Vineyard,  all  of  whicli  will 
be  submitted  to  you  in  due  time.  I  propose  that  clergymen  be 
admitted  gratuitously,  but  oppose  the  admission  of  any  present 
member  of  Congress.  Yours  fraternally,  O.  H.  K. 

It  must  not  be  supposed  the  time  of  myself  or 
associates  was  given  entirely  to  this  work.  It 
was  my  work  out  of  office  hours.  It  was  my  own 
scheme,  and  I  submitted  to  them  my  \'iews  and 
asked  their  counsel,  and  my  confidential  compan- 
ions were  Ireland  and  Trimble.  My  mind  was 
made  up  to  establish  a  new  organization.  I  was 
determined  to  get  all  the  assistance  possible  from 
any  of  those  who  were  willing  to  contribute.  On 
the  return  of  Saunders,  the  third  week  in  Septem- 
ber, he  told  us  he  had  not  much  opportunity  to 
introduce  the  subject,  as  his  trip  had  been  with  a 
party  of  excursionists  visiting  vineyards,  and  wound 
up  at  the  meeting  of  the  United  States  Pomological 
Society  in  St.  Louis,  which  adjourned  the  13th  of 
September.  But  those  to  whom  he  mentioned  the 
subject,  seemed  to  favor  the  idea  of  a  secret  society. 
The  result  of  his  trip  gave  us  Bartlett,  Muir  and 
Moss,  as  correspondents. 

September  29th,  I  received  the  following: 

St.  Louis,  Mo.,  September  2^tJi,  1867. 
O.  H.  Kellet  : 

Sir  : — In  conversation  with  Mr.  Wm.  Saunders,  of  your  city, 

he  referred  to  an  organization  of  the  tillers  of  the  soil,  for  the 


3:5 


WILLIAM     MUIK. 


Origin  of  the  Order.  jj 

purpose  of  diffusing  knowledge  and  securing  unity  of  action  in 
r^'giird  to  subjects  affecting  their  calling,  and  referred  me  to  you 
for  information,  as  the  time  and  place  prevented  him  from  com- 
municating. Please,  at  your  convenience,  give  me  an  outline  of 
your  views  and  plan  of  operations,  especially  its  relation  to 
politics,  religion,  temperance,  and  so  forth. 

Anything  that  can  unite  and  harmonize  the  sons  and  daugh- 
ters of  the  soil,  I  would  hail  with  delight. 

I  am,  sir,  yours  most  truly,  William  Muir. 

October  1st  found  me  decidedly  encouraged  with 
my  prospects  for  an  association.  I  gave  Miss  Hall 
a  very  encouraging  letter,  and  her  reply  urged  me 
to  persevere. 

It  was  evident  that  to  give  our  work  a  start, 
we  needed  to  have  an  organization  in  Wash- 
ington. 

Correspondents  would  very  soon  be  inquiring 
if  the  Order  was  established,  and  it  would  give 
us  some  prestige  to  be  able  to  say  "yes;"  while 
being  a  secret  society,  we  could  be  excused  for 
keeping  our  numbers  to  ourselves. 

But  there  were  only. four  of  us  in  the  city, — 
Ireland,  Trimble,  Saunders,  and  m^-self, — who  had, 
up  to  this  time,  been  considered  as  among  the 
"elect." 

I  had  mentioned  the  project  to  a  number, — 
among  them  J.  R.  Thompson,  who,  at  my  suggcs- 
3 


j^  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

tion,  was  invited  to  join  in  witli  us  for  tlic  pur- 
pose of  filling  the  offices. 

Kot  having  received  a  reply  to  my  last  com- 
munication to  Bartlett,  I  wrote  him  from  Wash- 
ington as  follows: 

Octoher  \Wi,  1867. 
A.  Bartlett, — My  Dear  Sir  : 

We  are  receiving  most  cheering  encouragement  from 
various  quarters,  and  hope  to  have  the  Ritual  perfected  so 
as  to  commence  active  organization  by  the  first  of  January.  * 
*        *        *        * 

The  vocabulary  being  nearly  exhausted,  some  of  our  mem- 
bers have  been  seeking  for  a  name  bordering  on  the  laugh- 
able— "Rustics,"  "Mushrooms,"  and  "Fungi,"  have  been 
suggested.  We  will  unearth  something  yet.  The  name  of 
"Homesteads"  for  that  of  "Lodge,"  seems  to  me  to  be 
appropriate.     For  instance,   "Mossy  Bank  Homestead,  No.  1." 

O.   H.   K. 

On  the  15th  I  received  the  following  stimulating 
letter  from  Bartlett.  It  had  been  considerably 
delayed  in  transit: 

North  Madison,  October  2d,  18G7. 
Dear  Brother  : 

Yours  of  September  18th  received.  I  find  it  difficult  to 
collect  my  thoughts  for  such  a  work  while  laboring  hard  on  the 
farm  every  day,  and  should  I  fail  to  elicit  brilliant  ideas,  you 
must  not  feel  disappointed.  A  name  for  the  Order  is  essential, 
before  progressing  far,  for  the  work  should  harmonize  with  it. 


Origin  of  the  Order.  jj- 

"Lords  of  the  Soil,"  "Brethren  of  the  Vine,"  "Temples  of 
Industry"  and  "  Companion  of  Labor."  Another,  but  rather 
snobish,  is  "Yeoman  of  Columbia."  With  proper  names  for  the 
Order  and  its  branches,  I  believe  we  can  rear  such  a  superstruc- 
ture as  will  at  once  command  the  respect  and  admiration  of  the 
world.  The  great  majority  of  our  countrymen  are  ruled  by  pecu- 
niary considerations,  although  I  would  by  no  means  make  this 
a  prime  incentive  for  a  person  to  unite  with  such  an  Order,  but 
Avould  rather  so  fashion  the  work  and  lectures  as  to  lead  the 
minds  of  the  members  into  a  higher  and  nobler  sphere.  Still 
taking  society  as  we  find  it,  I  think  we  shall  be  compelled  to  so 
frame  our  work  as  to  increase  the  chances  for  pecuniary  success. 
This,  however,  I  would  have  follow  as  a  necessary  corrollary  of 
the  legitimate  working  of  the  Order,  and  not  by  the  Order  itself 
becoming  a  commercial  or  monied  institution.  To  secure  the 
attention  and  patronage  of  the  masses,  it  must  be  made  to  appear 
that  one  of  the  legitimate  consequences  of  being  a  member  of  the 
Order,  will  be  to  promote  the  pecuniary  interests  of  those  who 
belong  to  it.  Another  feature  is :  The  benefits  to  be  derived — 
moral,  social,  educational,  as  well  as  pecuniary — should  be  exclu- 
sive. This,  in  fact,  I  conceive  to  be  the  object  aimed  at  in  mak- 
ing it  a  secret  Order  ;  and,  in  fixct,  with  me  this  is  the  great  thing 
which  induces  me  to  engage  in  the  work,  and  try  by  every  means 
to  make  it  a  complete  success.  I  know  not  what  means  you  ai  e 
proposing,  to  secure  that  end,  as  you  have  not  advised  me. 

The  truth  of  it  is,  my  brother,  the  more  I  look  at  this  matter, 
and  view  the  position  which  an  Order  of  this  kind  may  hold,  the 
vast  and  almost  incalculable  power  it  can  wield,  the  immense 
benefits,  not  only  to  those  belonging  to  the  fraternity,  but  all  the 
nations  may  directly  or  indirectly  receive,  the  more  I  feel  my 
unworthiness  and  unfitness  to  grapple  with  so  mighty  a  subject. 
Therefore  let  us  proceed  with  all  due  caution.     With  regard  to 


j6  The  Patro7is  of  Hiisbmidry. 

the  obligations  and  secresy,  a  part  of  our  work  should  be  tbe  col- 
lection of  statistics,  wliicb,  if  judiciously  managed,  would  be  of 
vital  interest  to  the  members  ;  also  facts  relative  to  planting,  cul- 
tivating and  harvesting,  as  well  as  marketing  produce  ;  also  in 
regard  to  varieties  of  fruit,  grain  and  seeds  ;  and  these  matters,  if 
properly  managed,  would  comprise  the  pecuniary  aspects  where- 
in those  belonging  to  the  Order  would  be  benefited. 

In  regard  to  honorary  membership,  I  think  the  less  we  have 
the  better.  First,  it  is  very  natural  with  a  person  to  hold  in 
light  estimation  that  which  comes  gratuitous  ;  that  which  costs 
dear  is  highly  prized.  Second,  if  one  class  of  persons  were 
admitted  free,  another  would  claim  the  same  privilege.  If  the 
clergy,  why  not  the  editors?  I  have  no  objections  to  remitting 
the  dues  of  the  Chaplains,  provided  they  would  attend  the  meet- 
ings promptly.  Women,  I  suppose,  you  intend  to  admit  free,  or 
nominally  so.  I  feel  very  keenly  the  necessity  of  maintaining  the 
most  absolute  secrecy  in  regard  to  what  shall  be  the  secret  work 
of  the  Order.  In  regard  to  singing  and  music,  I  think  you  are 
right.  Both  words  and  music  should  be  original,  and  of  a  lively 
character.  Quotations  from  the  Bible  can  be  used  in  different 
parts  of  the  work.  Some  of  the  finest  passages  are  well  adapted 
to  the  life  of  the  farmer.     The  ideas  are  beautiful. 

I  hardly  see  how  all  these  matters  can  be  fairly  digested  and 
arranged,  so  as  to  begin  work  before  next  spring.  It  is  a  great 
and  important  work,  and  one  which  needs  to  be  well  matured  in 
its  most  minute  details.  It  would  detract  from  the  harmony  and 
beauty  of  the  whole  thing  to  initiate  members  without  the  entire 
paraphernalia,  and  would  cause  the  work  to  appear,  instead  of 
grand  and  sublime,  like  a  simple  farce. 

About  fixing  up  the  work  of  the  third  and  fourth  degrees, 
which  you  sent  me,  I  feel  that  I  am  incompetent  to  do  it,  yet  I 
am  willing  to  do  all  in  my  power  to  help  perfect  it. 

Fraternally  yours,  A.  Bartlett. 


Origin  of  the  Order.  J7 

In  reply  to  my  letter,  Muir  wrote  as  follows : 

Fox  Creek,  Mo.,  October  1th,  18G7. 
0.  II.  Kelley  : 

Sir  : — Yours  of  28tli  ult.  cauic  duly  to  hand.     Thanks  for 

the  article.     Your  views  have  long  been  identical  with  my  own. 

The  outline  you  give  of  the  Order  is  much  to  my  mind.     I  shall 

work  willingly,  and  have  no  doubt  of  its  success.     I  can  get  it 

started  in  our  State  at  once,  with  the  most  intelligent  men  and 

women.     To  show  that  this  idea  of  association  is  not  strange  to 

me,  I  send  a  copy  of  the   State  Report  for  18G6,  containing 

Address  on  Agricultural  Education.     The  idea  of  training  up 

the  boys  and  girls  I  like.     Your  views  of  the  ladies  are  good. 

As  to  name,  nothing  can  be  so  beautiful,  simple,  expressive,  or 

appropriate,   as    "Sons  of  the   Soil."     In  place  of  "Lodge," 

have    "Garden,"    "Grove,"    "Arbor,"   or  simply    "Homes." 

"Garden "  has  much  to  recommend  it — our  first  parents.     Then 

"  Redemption  in  the  Garden  ;"  again  the  favorite  teaching  spot 

of  eminent  philosophers  ;  the  quiet  beauty,  utility  and  domestic 

enjoyment,  and  social  unity  of  the  garden.     If  tlxere  is  anything 

that  will  present  hopeful  signs  for  our  country,  it  will  be  the 

appreciation  of  home  and  its  influences ;  if  there  is  any  one 

curse  attending  our  social  existence,  it  is  the  neglect  of  home  in 

its  proper  sense.     If  there  is  anything  in  which  I  can  be  useful, 

name  it :  it  will  be  most  cheerfully  done. 

Yours  truly,  William  Muir. 

I  confess  I  built  large  "air  castles"  on  a  founda- 
tion of  inspiration  from  such  letters,  much  to  the 
amusement  of  Doctor  Trimble,  who  always  took  a 
delight,  and  still  does,  in  wrapping  a  wet  blanket 
about  my  most  sanguine  anticipations,  but  it  does 


236048 


j8  The  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

not  mar  our  friendship — rather  strengthens  it. 
Ireland  was  my  right-hand  man,  and  as  our  work 
began  to  assume  a  form  approaching  to  comple- 
tion, it  was  my  earnest  desire  that  he  he  the 
National  Master.  He  had  done  more  work  than 
any  other  person.  With  this  in  view,  I  kept  at 
work,  intending  to  be  the  Secretary,  pretty  well 
satisfied  I  should  earn  the  position. 

Mr.  Saunders  was  pressed  for  time  in  his  office, 
and  was  also  desirous  of  obtaining  the  views  of 
some  of  the  leading  horticulturists  in  different  parts 
of  the  country,  before  he  could  take  any  decidedly 
active  part  in  the  work,  and  with  this  view  I 
scratched  off  the  following  for  a  rough  circular, 
which  was  the  first  ever  sent  out.  Of  these  I  had 
three  hundred  printed  at  Polkinhorn's,  on  Seventh 
street,  "Washington,  November  1st: 

"A  number  of  gentlemen  engaged  in  Agriculture 
and  its  kindred  branches  in  different  States,  are  now 
perfecting  a  Kitual  for  an  Order,  to  be  composed 
w^holly  of  persons,  male  and  female,  directly  inter- 
ested in  Agricultural  pursuits.  * 

"The  Order  will  secure  to  its  members  all  the 
advantages  of  Masonary,  but  while  that  is  specula- 
tive, this  will  be  operative;  its  main  object  being 
to  encourage  and  advance  education  in  all  branches 
of  Agriculture, 

"The  Order  will  have  its  'Lodges,'   known  as 


Origin  of  the  Order.  jp 

<  Temples  of  Industry, '  or  similar  appellation.  The 
work  in  a  'Temple'  will  be  divided  into  four 
degrees. 

"  The  ceremonies  of  passing  from  one  degree  to 
the  other  are  made  pleasing  and  instructive.  Every 
tool  used  in  Agriculture  has  its  appropriate  lecture, 
the  aim  being  to  instruct  practically  and  morally  in 
every  possible  way,  and  also  add  an  interest  to  the 
most  noble  of  all  occupations — the  cultivation  of 
the  soil. 

It  is  believed  that  by  admitting  the  young  folks 
of  both  sexes  at  fourteen  or  sixteen  years  of  age,  it 
will  have  a  tendency  to  instill  in  their  minds  a 
fondness  for  rural  life,  and  prevent  in  a  great 
measure  so  many  of  them  flocking  to  the  cities, 
where  all  occupations  are  now  crowded,  and  at  the 
same  time  depriving  the  country  of  that  class  of . 
young  men  so  much  needed  there. 

"  The  ceremonies  in  the  degrees  for  the  ladies  are 
slightly  different  but  of  the  same  nature,  and 
intended  to  lighten  and  render  their  household 
duties  more  pleasing. 

"  The  whole,  it  is  believed,  will  do  much  towards 
elevating  our  occupation,  as  well  as  establishing  a 
unity  of  sentiment  .among  the  farmers  of  the 
country,  and  materially  increase  the  circulation  of 
publications  devoted  to  the  interests  of  agriculture, 
and  consequent  increase  of  knowledge. 

"Politics  and  Religion  are  7iot  subjects  of  discus- 
sion. Private  work  of  the  Order  will  occupy  one 
evening  each  month.     Public  meetings  for  lectures 


^o  TJu:  Patroiis  of  Husband?y. 

and  discussions  are  proposed  to  be  held  once  a 
week. 

'•Libraries  and  Museums  (the  latter  to  contain 
among  other  things  samples  of  each  year's  crop  of 
all  cereal  productions,)  are  considered  necessary 
appendages  to  each  Temple. 

"It  is  designed  to  hare  at  least  one  Temple  in 
each  county,  with  one  delesrate  from  each  to  the 
State  Temple :  these  will  send  one  delegate  each  to 
the  Xational  Temple,  which  is  to  be  the  head  of  the 
Order.  Persons  holding  office  under  Government 
cannot  be  delegates  to  either  the  State  or  National 
Temple. 

"  Should  such  an  organization  meet  your  approval, 
and  you  see  fit  to  offer  any  suggestions  to  enable 
the  originators  to  make  further  improvements,  before 
it  is  introduced  to  the  public,  the  same  will  be  most 
cordially  received  and  duly  considered. 

"Please  address" 

These  I  signed  and  sent  out  to  any  persons  whose 
Post-office  address  I  received,  and  my  memorandum 
book  shows  twenty-eight  from  ^Ir.  Saunders, — 
thirtv-nine  from  Ireland  and  others,  and  the  bal- 
ance  to  names  I  found  otherwise.  The  slips  were 
printed  on  cheap  paper,  and  in  appearance  did  not" 
show  any  business  character,  but  brought  us  some 
very  encouraging  replies,  and  established  a  lively 
correspondence   with  several  persons,   but  at   the 


Origin  of  the   Order.  /f.1 

present  writing  few  of  tlicm  hold  any  prominent 

position  in  the  Order. 

Washingtox,  October  lijth,  1867. 
Brotheu  Bartlett : 

Your  letter,  received  this  morning,  has  set  us  to  thinking. 
You  have  given  us  new  ideas,  for  which,  many  thanks.  At 
every  turn,  the  material  not  only  increases,  but  improves  iu 
qualit3\  If  we  do  not  erect  a  beautiful  structure,  it  will  be  our 
own  fault.  It  will  never  do  to  say  we  have  not  the  ability.  We 
have  taken  hold,  and  must  go  through  with  it.  It  is  a  noble 
cause,  hence  let  us  feel  sanguine  of  success.  Your  letter  was  read 
to-day  by  a  gentleman  from  Kew  Jersey,  ex-Governor  Burr.  He 
expressed  himself  highly  pleased  with  your  views,  and  also  exam- 
ined some  other  of  our  work  ;  he  is  a  prominent  Mason,  and  cor- 
dially enters  into  our  plans. 

The  name  of  the  Order  is  yet  a  stumbling  block.  It  will  turn 
up  before  long.  Here  we  have  thought  advisable  to  adopt  the 
name  of  "  Temples  "  for  the  halls,  the  grand  head  to  be  known  as 
the  "National  Temple."  Now  as  to  the  sub-divisions  in  the 
Temple,  it  is  to  be  presumed  the  Order  that  builds  Temples 
must  have  lands  (figuratively  speaking).  Within  the  wall  that 
surrounds  our  Temple  we  have  a  field,  a  vineyard,  and  a  garden. 
Suppose  we  say  we  have  field,  vineyard,  garden,  and  temple — 
four  points  made.  These  we  otherwise  designate  as  spiing, 
summer,  autumn,  and  winter.  Again  they  indicate  childhood, 
manhood,  prime  of  life,  and  old  age.  Also  preparation  of  the 
ground,  planting  the  seed  and  trees,  care  of  the  crop  while  grow- 
ing, and  lastly  the  harvest.  Again,  the  bud,  the  blossom,  the 
fruit,  and  the  fall  of  the  leaf.  The  initiate  is  first  a  laborer  in  the 
field  :  second,  advanced  to  more  noble  work  in  the  vineyard— a 
vine-dresser ;  third,  placed  in  the  garden  where  the  culture  of 
flowers  adds  refinement ;  fourth,  being  duly  qualified,  is  assigned 


^2  Patrons  of  Husbandly. 

a  seat  at  the  intellectual  feast  in  the  Temple,  and  becomes  a  Hus- 
bandman. 

In  the  first  degree  he  shall  be  taught  certain  lessons  in  which 
he  must  be  able  to  pass  examination,  before  the  second  can  be 
conferred.  He  may  be  months  in  gaining  a  thorough  knowledge 
of  the  studies  of  that  degree,  embracing  natural  history.  In  the 
second,  a  higher  range  of  knowledge,  something  of  chemistry. 
These  lectures  or  studies  can  be  illustrated  by  charts.  You  see 
the  point :  we  want  to  give  them  correct  knowledge,  and  valua- 
ble. Thus,  on  the  first  night  or  day  they  enter,  they  get  their 
money's  worth 

Again,  we  want  every  member  to  take  at  least  one  newspaper. 
These  we  can  get  at  reduced  rates.  Reports  of  the  crops  and 
prospects  of  prices  will  be  kept  constantly  known  and  imparted 
to  the  members.  As  you  say,  it  will  be  a  power  in  the  land,  and 
we  can  make  it  a  powerful  one.  As  to  fees  of  membership,  I 
think  myself  that  '■'■dead  ducks"  are  of  little  account  generally. 
If  the  Temple  sees  fit  to  confer  the  degrees  upon  a  clergyman,  let 
them  have  the  privilege  of  doing  so.  Each  temple  should  have 
certain  rites  reserved.  As  to  the  ladies — God  bless  them  all  the 
time, — but  I  think  they  should  pay  the  regular  fee,  though  it 
might  be  a  specific  one,  or  they  be  exempt  from  paying  after 
dues.  If  they  receive  benefits  from  the  Order,  we  shall  need 
funds  to  pay  for  them.  Their  aid  will  be  of  great  value,  but  they 
will  appreciate  the  value  of  membership  more  highly  than  the 
males  generally.  I  hope  you  will  confer  with  some  of  your  lady 
friends  upon  the  subject.  Their  degrees  should  be  of  a  higher 
order  than  for  the  males,  and  though  separate  ceremonies,  yet  we 
will  all  be  together.  Have  them  designate  the  rank  of  titles. 
For  instance,  in  their  first,  as  a  companion  to  the  laborers,  term 
them  "Maids,"  and  in  the  fourth  degree,  "  Housewives." 

I  will  enclose  the  first  two  degrees,  as  originally  drawn  up  ; 


Origin  of  the  Order.  43 

but  they  will  need  much  alteration  to  meet  our  views  now,  and 
as  suggested  iu  this  letter.  Regarding  secrecy,  I  coincide  with 
you.  I  hope  we  can  inaugurate  an  Order  that  will  elevate  our 
occupation  as  farmers,  so  that  it  will  be  a  mark  of  credit,  not  only 
to  be  a  member  of  it,  but  also  make  it  an  honor  to  be  a  cultivator 
of  the  soil. 

In  reviewing  the  enclosed  forms  of  initiation,  please  make  such 
corrections  and  additions,  on  separate, -sheets,  as  you  see  tit.  Cut 
and  slash  freely  ;  it  is  as  much  yours  as  mine.  I  confess,  when  I 
look  upon  the  work,  I  see  I  have  not  the  control  of  language 
sufficiently  sublime  to  express  my  ideas  ;  however,  we  will  work 
cheerfully  together,  and  offer  views  freely.  Your  suggestions 
prompt  us  to  look  to  you  with  confidence. 

I  have  drawn  up  a  form  of  regular  work.  In  it  I  have  adopted 
brevity,  and  also  aim  to  have  the  ceremonies  of  initiation  and 
passing  from  one  degree  to  the  other,  as  brief  as  possible,  so  as  to 
allow  more  time  for  instruction  and  discussion  at  the  meetings. 
We  can  have  such  perfect  regulations  in  each  Temple  to  secure 
reliable  statements  about  crops,  etc.,  that  the  Department  of 
Agriculture  will  find  it  advantageous  to  look  to  the  Secretaries 
for  reliable  reports  for  publication. 

Regalia  has  been  considered  some.  I  have  suggested  that  the 
officers  only  have  regalia,  until  the  Temples  are  sufficiently  pro- 
vided with  funds.  A  regalia  might  be  adopted,  but  not  make  it 
binding  upon  the  Order  to  purchase  ;  get  the  substance  first, 
the  extras  afterwards. 

The  public  meetings  which  I  suggest,  and  to  which  the  public 
will  be  invited,  will  be  a  feature  that  will  promote  much  good. 
At  these  there  can  be  lectures  upon  agricultural  topics,  with 
occasionally  one  in  favor  of  the  Order,  Give  knowledge  to  the 
people  ;  educate  the  masses.  In  the  rural  districts,  let  these 
Temples  prove  an  honor  to  the  land.      We  shall  see  the  time 


^/f.  Patrons  of  Husbandly. 

when,  througli  the  power  of  this  Order,  Congress  will  appropri- 
ate a  million  of  dollars  annually  for  the  Department  of  Agricul- 
ture ;  then  Ave  can  have  the  best  talent  in  the  country  lecture  to 
the  people  in  the  Temples.  The  work  is  a  labor  of  love  to  me. 
I  honestly  believe  it  will  prove  of  the  greatest  value  to  the  farm- 
ers, and  consequently  to  the  country. 

Yours  fraternally,  O.  H.  Kelley. 

On  the  31st  of  October,  Mr.  Muir  wrote  from  St. 
Louis  at  some  length.     I  quote  as  follows : 

"I  shall  visit  some  of  the  neighboring  counties  next  week,  to 
see  those  it  is  desirable  to  interest.  I  have  written  to  several, 
suggesting  the  need  of  such  a  thing,  but  will  undertake  a  tour, 
to  get  the  views  set  forth  more  in  detail.  There  is  so  much 
danger  from  selfish,  designing  men  (especially  politicians),  in 
and  near  our  large  cities,  that  the  utmost  caution  is  required. 
This  has  been,  and  is  yet,  the  great  curse  of  our  State.  On  this 
rock  the  Order  will  split,  unless  much  prudence  is  used.  "With 
caution,  it  will  become  a  citadel  of  strength.  So  far,  I  see  in  it 
a  grand  educational  Institution — not  a  place  of  mere  mysteries 
and  mummeries, — but  of  grand  practical  facts." 

October  24th,  Bartlctt  wrote  me   he   was   busy 

digging  potatoes,  and  I  must  be  patient.     I  replied 

as  follows : 

Nommber  \st,  1867. 
Dear  Brother : 

To  facilitate  correspondence  with  others  whom  we  wish  to 

interest  in  our  Order,  we  have  had  three  hundred  of  the  enclosed 

slips  printed,  which  can  be  put  in  letters.     Those  enclosed,  use 

as  you  see  fit. 

The  name  of  the  "  League  of  Husbandry  "  has  been  suggested 


Origin  of  ihc  Order.  45 

as  a  name  for  the  Order.  It  is  submitted  for  your  opinion.  If 
any  original  name  in  the  place  of  "League"  could  be  substi- 
tuted, it  would  be  better.  "Uusbandry"  comprises  the  work 
nicely,  according  to  Webster.  Within  a  week,  we  propose  to 
seiid  out  about  two  hundred  of  these  printed  slips  to  Agricultural 
Editors  and  others,  for  their  opinions  of  the  work. 

Yours  truly,  O.  H.  Kelley. 

ITovember  4tli,  in  a  short  letter  I  wrote  to  Bart- 
lett,  I  find  the  following: 

"How  would  it  do  to  call  the  'Lodges'  'Granges?'  For 
instance,  'Blue  Fly  Grange  of  the  League  of  Husbandry.' 
Grange  and  Husbandry  being  used  according  to  Webster's 
Unabridged." 

This  word  grange  I  took  from  the  name  of  a 
novel,  advertised  at  that  time.  In  his  reply  of 
November  6th,  he  writes : 

"I  have  written  the  first  degree  work  (except  the  lecture  of 
Bacchus),  making  such  alterations  as  my  fancy  dictated.  I  shall 
take  hold  of  the  third  and  fourth  degree  work  now,  but  would 
prefer  to  have  second  degree  before  doing  much  with  them,  so 
they  will  not  clash.  I  have  received  the  printed  slips,  and  will 
try  to  make  good  use  of  them.  How  about  the  name  ?  How 
would  '  Patrons  of  Industry  '  be?  I  almost  fancy  it  to  be  good. 
I  believe  it  is  original,  at  any  rate. 

Fraternally,  Anson  Bartlett. 

That  will  settle  the  question  as  to  where  the 
name  originated,  for,  on  the  receipt,  I  substituted 
the  word  "Husbandry." 


^6  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

The  montli  of  ITovember  found  me  entering  upon 
a  new  era  in  the  work.  Correspondence  was  en- 
couraging. The  first  frosty  reply  we  received  was 
the  following,  from  Saco,  Maine,  November  5th : 

"Tours  of  2(1  at  hand.  Perhaps  I  am  very  stupid,  but  I  do 
not  see  advantages  in  prospect  from  an  Ordep  like  the  one  pro- 
posed in  aid  of  agriculture,  etc.,  beyond  what  may  be  effected 
without  it,  nor  commensurate  with  the  expenses  and  flummery 
which  usually  attach  to  such." 

This  furnished  us  considerable  amusement.  I 
give  it  from  the  fact  that  it  is  the  only  one  of  the 
kind  I  received  during  the  first  three  years  of  our 
existence. 

I  had  the  pleasure  of  next  adding  to  my  list  of 
correspondents,  A.  S.  Moss, ,  of  Fredonia,  ISTew 
York.  I  sent  him  a  slip  on  the  22d  of  October, 
to  which  he  replied  on  the  7th  of  November. 
From  his  letter  I  copy : 

"I  would  make  the  fee  of  admission  and  for  the  degrees,  large 
enough  to  give  permanency  to  the  Order.  I  would  not  give 
regular  benefits,  but  aim  to  have  funds  in  case  of  a  needy 
member  in  sickness  or  want.  I  tliink  it  a  better  way  to  get  funds 
from  initiation  and  degrees  than  from  large  weekly  or  annual 
dues.  It  often  drives  men  from  a  Lodge  to  be  asking  for  money. 
If  they  have  to  pay  pretty  well  to  get  in.  tliey  will  prize  it 
higher. 

"Lastly:  do  not  be  in  too  much  haste  to  get  the  Order  in 
motion  till  it  is  well  digested,  for  it  is  injurious  to  be  making 
changes  too  often.  Respectfully  yours,  A.  S.  Moss." 


47 


A.     S.     MOSS. 


Origin  of  the  Order.  ^7 

On  tlio  lltli  of  E'ovcmbcr,  I  wrote  to  Bartlctt  as 
follows : 

"We  shall  hold  a  preliminary  meeting  here  this  week  to  frame 
a  Constitution  for  the  Order.  I  enclose  a  quantity  of  matter  for 
degree  work. 

"Permit  me  to  suggest  that  you  save  every  scrap  of  manu- 
script you  may  write.  For  should  we  build  a  magnificent  Order, 
you  and  I  can  be  ready  to  write  the  history.  The  preparation 
of  the  Ritual  seems  to  be  left  to  you  and  myself.  Cowper's 
poems  will  furnish  some  magnificent  and  appropriate  language, 
which  may  be  fncorporated.  In  the  degrees,  pile  in  the  songs. 
We  want  the  attendants  of  Ceres,  Flora  aiid  Pomona,  to  be 
mostly  females,  and  to  constitute  a  glorious  choir.  The  tableaux, 
enlivened  with  songs,  will  be  a  feature,  and  make  it  interesting 
to  the  ladies.  O.  H.  K." 

All  the  meetings  thus  far  held  were  decidedly 
informal — not  more  than  three  of  us  together  at 
any  one  time,  and  then  for  not  over  a  couple  of 
hours.  What  information  I  offered  gave  matter 
for  conversation,  that  generally  ran  into  story  tell- 
ing, at  which  Bro.  Saunders  was  seldom  left  in 
the  background.  His  genial  good  humor  rarely 
forsook  him. 

I  handed  Brother  Thompson  several  letters  to 
examine,  which  he  returned  with  a  half  sheet  of 
comments  on  one  of  Muir's,  and  closes  as  follows: 

"His  ideas  are  generally  sound  and  sensible,  but  I  have  no 
time  for  comment  in  detail.  I  will  endeavor  to  see  you  soon. 
In  haste.     13,  MidnigU.  J.  R.  T." 


4-8  Patrojis  of  Husbandry. 

TTe  were  now  £:ettm£r  somewhat  alive  in  the 
matter.  The  first  meetinsr  at  which  we  could  con- 
sider  ourselves  as  talking  business,  was  the  fol- 
lowing: 

"At  a  meeting,  called  by  previous  notice,  held  at 
the  ofiSce  of  Wm.  Saunders,  November  loth,  1867, 
at  4  P.  M,,  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  an  Order 
of  Agriculture  in  the  United  States,  by  unanimous 
consent,  TTm.  M.  Ireland  was  called  to  the  Chair, 
and  O.  H.  Kelley  chosen  Secretary.  The  object  of 
the  meetins:  havins"  been  stated,  the  work  that  had 
been  done  since  August  5th  was  laid  before  the 
meetinij. 

'•  On  motion,  the  Chair  appointed  Wm.  Saunders 
a  committee  to  draw  up  a  preamble,  setting  forth 
the  objects  for  which  the  Order  is  established. 

"  An  interesting  debate  upon  the  working  of  the 
Order  ensued,  which  resulted  in  a  determination 
not  to  solicit  favor  from  any  one,  but  let  the  Order 
stand  on  its  own  merits. 

It  was  decided  that  the  name  of  the  Order  be 
"  Patrons  of  Husbaxdrt,"  and  the  branches  of  it 

to  be  known  as  Graxges,  instead  of  Lodges. 

******** 

"The   meeting   adjourned    to    Monday   evening 

next,  at  !Room^45,  ITnited  States  Hotel."' 

That  evening  I  wrote  Brother  Moss  as  follows : 

H'otember  loth,  1867. 
A.  S.  Moss, — My  Deab  Sib  : 

At  a  meeting  this  evening,  at  "wliich  we  were  at 

•work  upon  the  Constitution  of  our  Order,  two  important  subjects 


Origin  of  the  Order.  ^g 

were  discussed  : — first,  the  name  of  the  Order.  It  is  suggested 
to  name  it,  "The  Patrons  of  Husbandry,"  and  term  the  Lodges 
"Granges."  Second,  the  rates  of  admission  to  the  Order,  and 
prices  for  eacli  degree  ;  also,  quarterly  and  annual  dues.  I  read 
your  letter  of  the  7th,  relative  to  finances :  it  is  an  important 
subject,  and  your  views  at  length  are  most  earnestly  solicited. 
It  is  important  to  have  the  rates  reasonable,  and  I  suggested 
that  the  ladies  be  admitted  at  half-price.  Some  considered  it 
essential.  The  young  folks  also  have  favor  shown.  Do  us  the 
kindness  to  give  us  your  views  freely,  and  also  consider  the  name. 
We  continue  to  receive  most  encouraging  letters  from  the  slips 
sent  out.  Yovurs  fraternally,  O.  H.  Kelley. 

The  following  letter  from  P.  M.  McDowell,  com- 
menced a  correspondence  of  vital  importance  to  the 
Order, — a  history  in  itself: 

WAT^-E,  STErBExCo.jX.  T., 

0.  H.  Kelley,  Esq.,-  Notemher  16th,  1867. 

Deab  Sir  : 

Your  favor  of  the  second  instant,  with  private 
memorandum  enclosed,  was  duly  received.  I  have  given  the 
subject-matter  of  your  communication  considerable  thought,  and 
I  have  no  hesitation  in  saying  that  it  meets  with  my  cordial 
approval.  The  idea  is  certainly  excellent,  and  if  practically 
carried  out,  cannot  fail  to  awaken  and  perpetuate  an  interest  in 
agriculture  and  its  pursuits,  which  will  be  felt  the  length  and 
breadth  of  our  land.  I  shall  be  pleased  to  hear  from  you  as  the 
organization  progresses,  and  remain 

Very  truly  yours,  F.  M.  McDowell. 

Mr.  Saunders  had  spoken  so  highly  of  ^McDowell, 

that  I  made  no   delay  in  calling   upon   him  with 
4 


§o  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

this  letter.  At  that  time,  I  had  not  received  any  com- 
position from  either  Saunders  or  Thompson,  to  incor- 
porate into  the  Eitual,  but  the  letters  were  serving  as 
a  stimulant  to  vigorous  minds.  I  was  in  the  habit  of 
frequently  calling  at  Saunders'  office  after  dinner, 
spending  an  hour  with  him,  and  occasionally  walk- 
ing several  squares  toward  his  home.  On  returning 
to  my  room,  about  5  o'clock,  I  usually  met  Ireland ; 
and  almost  invariably,  Trimble  called  at  6  and  re- 
mained until  7,  when  we  would  go  to  the  Post-office 
together  for  the  evening  mail. 

Ireland  and  myself  made  a  short  search  for  a 
motto  for  the  Order,  and  after  submitting  several  to 
the  others,  decided  on  Esto  Perpetua — let  it  be 
perpetual — let  it  endure  forever. 

We  made  the  following  list — all  equally  appro- 
priate in  some  respects : — We  learn  by  teaching — 
The  love  of  country  guides — Let  there  be  light — 
Under  this  standard  thou  shalt  conquer — Mind 
moves  matter — The  useful  with  the  pleasant — 
Strength  united  is  stronger. 

The  following  is  from  J.  R.  Thompson,  in  regard 
to  Eitual : 

8.10  o'clock,  Saturday  evening. 
Feiend  Kelley  : 

Called,  and  sorry  to  find  you  out.     I  have  a  few  iricks 
prepared,  which  may  work  in  somewhere.     Will  add  to  them 


Origin  of  the  Order.  5/ 

before  I  see  you  again.     Am  going  out  of  town  to-morrow,  but 
will  try  and  see  you  a  moment  in  tiie  evening. 

Yours,  J.  R.  T. 

It  was  a  difficulty  I  labored  under,  that  my  asso- 
ciates were  not  in  raptures,  like  myself,  over  the 
work.     They  were  not  boiling  over  at  the  prospects. 

I  wrote  "Uncle  Jake  Zeigler,"  after  an  interview 
with  him  in  this  city, — he  being  a  great  friend  of 
Ireland's.     In  reply,  he  wrote  me : 

Butler^  Fa,,  November  21st,  1867. 
Dear  Sir: — 

Will  write  you  in  a  few  days  in  regard  to  the  matter  j^ou 
propose.  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  It  is  a  mistake 
to  have  Editors  of  Agricultural  papers  at  the  head  of  the  Insti- 
tution. The  rivalry  which  will  exist  between  them,  and  the 
inevitable  desire  to  make  the  Institution  minister  to  selfish  ends, 
will  ruin  it. 

Take  men  who  have  no  other  interests  than  purely  the 
advancement  of  agriculture,  and  intelligent,  refined  ladies,  who 
take  an  interest  in  gardens  and  flowers, — real  and  not  pretended 
Pomonas.  If  you  take  a  Senator's  wife  because  she  is  such,  and 
merely  for  the  purposes  of  making  the  matter  sound  large,  it  will 
be  an  empty  show,  because  you  may  select  a  Ceres  who  does  not 
know  a  grain  of  corn  from  a  millett  seed.  *  *  *  * 
Care  must  be  taken  in  all  these  things.  Respects  to  Ireland. 
Yours  truly,  J.  Zeigler. 

ITovember  20th,  I  replied  to  McDowell,  and  quote 
as  follows: 

We  sincerely  hope  you  will  permit  us  to  enrol  your  name 
among  others  who  are  encouraging  the  work.    I  enclose  you  a 


^2  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

copy  of  our  Preamble  and  Constitution,  Make  such  corrections 
as  you  see  fit.  We  need  good  counsellors,  and  hope  you  will  be 
pleased  to  take  charge  of  the  matter  in  your  section  of  the  State. 
As  soon  as  the  Ritual  is  perfected,  or  rather  ready  for  examina- 
tion, I  will  furnish  you  a  manuscript  copy. 

The  Preamble  enclosed  is  from  the  pen  of  Mr.  Saunders,  and 
I  think  excellent.  The  work  was  commenced  in  June,  and 
with  the  exception  of  five  persons,  has  its  best  friends  in  Ohio 
and  Missouri.  Yours  fraternally,  O.  H.  Kelley. 

These  extracts  are  from  a  letter  written  by  A.  S. 

Moss : 

"Fredonia,  K  Y.,  November 'iUt,  1867. 

"  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  Much  depends  on  the 
name.  The  'Order  of  Husbandry'  I  like  very  well.  The 
'Order  of  Jacob'  has  some  meaning.  'I.  O.  of  11.,'  with 
'  Worthy  Patron '  its  presiding  officer,  will  sound  pretty  well. 
'  Granges '  seems  harsh,  but  it  may  be  just  the  name.  How 
would  it  sound  to  say,  going  to  the  '  Tent '   or  '  Cabins  ?' 

"As  to  finances,  I  would  require  each  novitiate  to  pay  not  less 
than  ten  dollars  ;  but  this  should  cover  the  whole  expense  for  the 
degrees.  Some  lodges  might  require  a  higher  fee.  Have  the 
dues  one  dollar  per  year,  and  payable  as  the  different  lodges  may 
require,  annually  or  oftener.  Women  and  minors  for  half  price 
of  each  of  the  above.  No  honorary  members,  unless  a  limit 
is  given  to  membership.  Make  equality  as  prominent  as  pos- 
sible. If  ten  dollars  is  thought  too  low,  place  it  higher,  but  the 
best  way  is,  have  funds.     I  would  make  the  National  dues  as 

low  as  possible.     If  you  have  regalia  or  badges,  have  them  good, 
******* 

"Fraternally  yours,  A.  S.  Moss." 

On  tlie  24th  of  November,  Bartlett  wrote,  and 


Origin  of  the  Order.  jj 

among  otlicr  matters,  suggested  the  use  of  the  bell 
for  tlie  Master  to  tap,  instead  of  using  a  gavel. 
That  evening  I  wrote  as  follows : 

November  2Uh,  1867. 
Dear  Brother  Bartlett : 

Yours  of  the  18tli  received.  Accept  (ny  sincere  tlianlis 
for  the  great  aid  you  are  giving  me  in  this  work.  By  the  quan- 
tity I  have  already  sent,  you  will  see  I  am  depending  upon  you 
entirely  in  the  degree  work. 

I  am  now  copying  the  first  degree  for  use.  As  soon  as  the 
reports  on  the  Constitution  come  in,  we  shall  organize  the 
National  Grange,  to  enable  us  to  appoint  deputies ;  organize  a 
Subordinate  Grange  here,  and  get  the  Order  introduced  as 
speedily  as  possible.         ******** 

I  doubt  if  any  organization  was  ever  before  started,  where  all 
parties  were  entire  strangers,  and  so  widely  separated  by  dis- 
tance, and  yet  so  cordial  and  unanimous  in  their  views,  as  our 
correspondence  proves.  The  feeling  is,  that  we  have  "got  a 
big  thing,"  and  it  will  not  do  to  seek  favor  of  any  one.  It 
being  a  secret  organization,  outsiders  cannot  know  its  strength. 
******* 

Your  design  to  use  a  bell  instead  of  a  mallet  is  new.  A 
facetious  brother  suggests  that  the  Master  blow  a  horn.  He 
says  they  are  common  on  farms.  Imagine  the  Worthy  Master 
blowing  a  fish  horn,  to  call  up  to  receive  the  Chaplain's  bene- 
diction.    It  would  make  Gabriel  blush. 

I  have  the  work  of  installation  of  officers  ready  for  your  exam- 
ination ;  also  dedication  of  halls  and  Granges.        *        *        * 
We  are  very  anxious  to  get  the  other  three  degrees,  leaving  the 
ladies  until  the  last.     As  soon  as  the  degrees  and  other  work  is 
arranged,  I  propose  to  start  for  my  home  in  Minnesota  for  a 


jr/  Patro7is  of  Husbandry. 

short  stop,  and  then  make  a  tour  of  the  Western  States,  and 
organize  the  Order.         ******** 

In  the  place  oi  Bacchus  substitute  Lecturer.  Some  may  object 
to  the  presence  of  the  patron  of  wit  and  conviviality — by  name, 
at  least.  O.  H.  K. 

On  the  26th  of  iTovember,  Bartlett  wrote,  review- 
ing the  proposed  Constitution.  Relative  to  dues, 
he  advocated  a  reduction  in  rates,  and  said : 

"Suppose  the  Order  should  number  one  million  members 
within  one  year  from  its  organization,  the  ten  cent  arrange- 
ment would  give  the  National  Grange  quarterly  $25,000."  *  *  * 

[I  quote  this  to  show  we  were  figuring  for  a 
tremendous  membership,  and  in  my  first  letter  to 
Bartlett,  I  was  anticipating  a  large  and  rapid 
growth.  It  was  what  I  was  worJdng  for.  He 
continues :] 

"I  assure  you,  this  question  of  finance  is  the  rock  whereon  we 
shall  be  dashed  in  pieces,  unless  wisely  arranged. — Article  XV. 
We  are  of  the  opinion  that  there  should  be  provision  for  the  col- 
lection of  reliable  Statistics,  and  here  is  as  good  a  place  as  any. 
Make  it  imperative  upon  the  members  to  report  monthly,  or 
quarterly  at  least,  the  condition,  prospects  and  probable  quantity, 
etc.,  etc. 

"In  fact,  this  Order  affords  one  of  the  most  ample  opportuni- 
ties for  collecting  and  diffusing  trust-worthy  statistics,  and  if  it  is 
incorporated  in  the  Constitution,  there  will  then  be  no  doubt 
about  it,  and  a  large  number  will  be  induced  to  join  for  the  bene- 
fit such  information  will  be  to  them.  Engraft  it  in  the  fundamen- 
tal law  of  the  Order,  and  thereby  make  sure  of  it. 

"I  have  the  second  degree  finished,  and  will  send  it  on  as  soon 
as  I  can  make  a  copy.  A.  Bartlett." 


Origin  of  the  Order.  55 

I  replied  as  follows : 

November  2Qih,  1867. 
Dear  Brother  : 

Yours  of  26th  received,  and  contents  will  be  referred  to 

o'ar  friends  at  the  next  meeting.      I  think  your  views  correct, 

both  on  the  amount  of  dues  and  the  necessity  of  inserting  a  clause 

relative  to  statistics. 

You  know,  final  action  upon  questions  of  such  vital  importance 
will  not  be  taken  without  first  consulting  yourself  and  others  who 
have  taken  an  interest  in  the  work.  ****** 

As  you  progress  in  the  work,  it  will  be  well  to  give  a  thought 
to  regalia.  It  should  be  uniform  in  design  and  color,  though  the 
quality  of  material  might  be  left  to  the  opinion  of  each  Grange. 
My  idea  is  a  wide  sash  over  the  shoulder,  and  an  apron  with  the 
pocket.  Material  of  fawn  color.  In  the  State  Granges,  trim- 
mings of  silver  or  white  metal,  and  in  the  National  (the  Officers') 
gold  trimmings,  and  aprons  of  genuine  Fawn-skin,  with  the  hair 
on.  Yours,  etc.,  O.  H.  K. 

From  Bartlett: 

November  28th,  1867. 
Dear  Brother  : 

In  my  hurried  note  of  26th,  there  was  one  subject  which 
entirely  escaped  my  mind.  Article  XII  of  Constitution  provides 
the  minimum  fee  for  membership  shall  be  ten  dollars  ;  and 
Article  XIII,  that  the  minimum  dues  shall  be  twenty-five  cents 
per  month  from  each  member.  This  is  all  right  in  our  estima- 
tion, so  far  as  male  members  are  concerned ;  but  in  regard  to 
the  fees  and  dues  of  females,  it  would  exclude  a  great  majority 
of  them. 

The  income  of  nearly  every  laboring  girl  or  woman  in  agri- 
cultural pursuits,  is  not  of  a  nature  to  allow  her  to  pay  such  a 
price  for  admission.        *        *        *        *        *        If  the  wages 


5^  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

they  received,  were  equal  to  that  of  males,  it  would  be  all  right ; 
but  while  men  obtain  from  |1.50  to  $2.50  fer  day  for  common 
farm  labor,  females  get  from  |2.50  to  $3.00  per  week. 

Ten  dollars  is  low  enough  for  the  men.  I  think  it  should  be 
five  dollars  for  the  first  degree,  two  for  the  second,  three  for  the 
third,  and  two  for  the  fourth.  For  females,  two  for  the  first, 
and  one  for  each  of  the  other  three,— making  in  all  twelve 
dollars  for  males,  and  five  for  females.  Then  fix  their  dues  in 
proportion.         ********* 

Yours,  A.  Bartlett. 

I  replied : 

"■^  Noveniber  Z^tli. 

*  *  *  *  *  *  Relative  to  the  fee  for  females,  I 
am  with  you.  The  prices  put  in  the  Constitution  were  more  to 
get  the  views  of  different  ones,  than  for  any  intention  of  con- 
sidering them  permanent.         ******* 

"I  hope  one  good  thing  we  can  accomplish,  will  be  to  bring 
the  wages  of  females  up  to  their  proper  scale.  I  have  always 
argued,  that  if  a  female  does  the  same  work  as  a  man,  she  is 
entitled  to  the  same  pay  he  receives. 

"Your  letter  will  be  carefully  read  and  considered  at  our 
meeting  to-night.        *****  O.  H.  K." 


o 


In  the  evening,  we  met  at  my  room  at  the  hotel, 
Ireland,  Trimble,  Saunders,  Thompson  and  myself. 
Thompson  having  an  engagement,  was  with  us  hut 
an  hour.  That  evening,  the  mail  brought  me  a 
letter  from  my  niece,  Miss  Hall,  to  whom  I  liad 
sent  a  copy  of  our  Constitution.  We  had  put  the 
price  of  membership  at  ten  dollars  for  males,  and 
five  dollars  for  females.     She  wrote  me  as  follows : 


Origin  of  the   Order.  57 

"Do  not  get  the  price  of  membership  too  high.  Remember 
dollars  are  not  over  plenty  among  the  farmers.  Ten  dollars  are 
not  found  on  every  bush.  Five  dollars  is  enough  for  men,  and 
I  should  say  women  for  half  of  that.  They  cannot  obtain  but 
half  the  wages  men  receive.  It  is  a  shame,  but  I  hope  this 
Society  will  correct  the  wrong." 

This  suggestion,  added  to  the  views  of  Bartlett, 
prompted  me  to  advocate  the  reduced  rate,  and  the 
fees  of  memhership  established  that  night,  have 
since  remained. 

On  motion  of  Thompson,  it  was  agreed  to  adjourn 
to  December  4th,  when  we  would  meet  in  Saunders' 
office,  to  elect  officers,  and  set  the  Organization  in 
motion. 

On  the  morning  of  the  4th  of  December,  I  wrote 
Bartlett  as  follows : 

Deab  Beother  : 

*****        Keep  copies  of  all  you  send,  for 

you  and  myself  will  be  the  only  ones  having  them,  and  in  fact 

the  only  members  of  the  National  Grange  who  will  be  sufficiently 

familiar  with  the  work  to  organize  Granges,     I  can  send  you  the 

signs  and  passwords  soon,  and  then  we  can  commence  organizing. 

Second  degree  just  received  from  you.  I  shall  not  make  any 
further  alterations  in  it,  and  if  I  do  not,  no  one  will.  *        * 

Make  the  third  degree  somewhat  longer.  I  agree  with  you 
that  we  have  lots  of  fun  in  that,  including  a  pic-nic  feast  at  the. 

close  of  it.        *        *        *        * 

"Learn  to  toil,  and  gaily  sing,— 
All  flesh  is  grass,  and  grass  is  King." 

I  will  send  dedication  of  Grange  as  soon  as  I  can  copy  it. 

O.  H.  K. 


^8  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

In  the  afternoon  we  congregated.  I  had  made 
up  our  slate  with  Ireland  and  Trimble.  In  choice 
of  officers,  it  was  decided  to  give  working  rank 
according  to  the  labor  each  had  performed.  This 
placed  L-eland  in  the  Master's  chair,  and  Bartlett  as 
Overseer;  Thompson,  as  Lecturer;  Muir,  as  Stew- 
ard; Moss,  Assistant  Steward.  The  office  of  Treas- 
urer was  assigned  to  Saunders,  for  the  reason  that 
"what  becomes  of  the  money?"  would  be  the 
leading  question,  and  if  we  had  him,  as  connected 
with  the  Department  of  Agriculture,  in  that  office, 
it  might  give  confidence.  Ireland  objected  to  the 
position  of  Master,  on  the  ground  of  his  not  being 
a  farmer,  and  proposed  to  change  positions  with 
Saunders.  The  latter  objected  because  he  had  no 
time  to  attend  to  it.  His  official  position  in  the 
Department  required  his  exclusive  attention.  But 
we  prevailed  upon  him  to  accept  it,  and  left  the 
offices  of  Chaplain  and  Gate-Keeper  vacant :  while 
I  received  that  which  I  wished — the  office  of  Sec- 
retary. 

This  small  organization  gave  us  a  nucleus,  and 
enabled  us  to  talk  of  it  as  a  reality. 

]Muir  had  published  several  articles  in  Coleman's 
Mural  World^  much  in  favor  of  such  an  association, 
and  I  was  then  in  correspondence  with  him  relative 
to  printing  the  Ritual,  as  soon  as  it  should  be  ready. 


59 


REV.    A.     B.    GROSH. 


Origin  of  tlic  Order.  jp 

December  8tli,  18G7, 1  wrote  him  a  lengthy  letter, 
and  extract  as  follows  therefrom: 

"*  *  *  *  *  *  *  You  will  have  to  act 
as  Committee  on  Printing.  We  shall  be  guided  by  your  advice 
iu  that  matter.  *        *        *        *  x  assure  you  we  have 

some  wide-awake  men  getting  interested  in  it. 

''  We  held  another  meeting  last  Wednesday  evening,  and 
elected  Mr.  Saunders  as  Master  of  the  National  Grange,  and 
3'ourself  as  Steward.  Full  account  of  proceedings  will  be  sent 
3'ou  as  soon  as  I  get  time  to  copy  them.  I  am  overrun  with 
letters — eighteen  on  my  table  to  write  now.  I  was  elected 
Secretary.     Hope  I  will  give  satisfaction.  O.  H.  K.' 


11 


The  work  of  copying  the  corrected  degrees  for 
Bartlett  and  Muir,  was  quite  a  task,  but  having 
undertaken  the  duty,  I  was  determined  to  see  it 
through. 

Early  in  December,  Saunders  told  me  to  inter- 
view Rev.  A.  B.  Grosh,  and  secure  him  as  a 
member,  as  he  had  conversed  with  him,  and  was 
inclined  to  join  in  with  us. 

On  the  21st  of  December,  18G7,  I  received  the 
following  from  McDowell  : 

Wayke,  N.  Y.,  December  17th,  18G7. 
O.  H.  Kelley,— Dkar  Sin : 

Your  favor  of  November  20th,  with  enclosure,  came  duly 
to  hand,  and  would  have  received  attention  sooner,  but  for 
absence. 
I  have  to  thank  j'ou  for  your  kindness  in  sending  me  copy  of 


6o  Patrons  of  Husbandly. 

Preamble  and  Constitution.  I  have  read  it,  but  have  not  been 
able  to  give  it  that  careful  attention  whicli  the  importance  of  the 
subject  demands  it  should  receive. 

The  Preamble,  like  everything  else  from  the  pen  of  Mr.  Saun- 
ders, is,  as  you  say,  excellent.  You  may,  if  you  please,  put  me 
do-svn  as  one  of  your  supporters  in  this  work. 

In  regard  to  my  taking  charge  of  it  in  this  section,  I  should 
prefer  to  confer  Avith  you  before  answering.  It  is  my  intention 
to  visit  Washington  about  the  middle  of  January,  when  I  will 
give  myself  the  pleasure  of  calling  upon  you. 

F.  M.  McDowell. 

Among  other  letters  received  in  reply  to  tlie  cir- 
culars, came  this  from  A.  Failor,  of  Iowa: 

IsEWTox,  Jasper  Co.,  Iowa,  Bee.  24?7i,  1S67. 
O.  H.  Kellet, — Dear  Sir  : 

Tours  of  the  13th  is  received,  containing  a  slip  on  the  sub- 
ject of  an  organization  amongst  the  agricultural  classes.  I  have 
for  years  advocated  something  of  this  kind.  I  have  shown  the 
slip  to  a  number  of  my  friends,  who  express  themselves  in  favor 
of  an  organization  of  some  kind.  I  think  it  should  be  as  simple 
as  possible. 

Tou  propose,  in  the  ceremonies,  to  refer  to  the  tools  used  in 
agriculture.  Why  not  also  refer  to  the  uses  of  our  noble  animals? 
I  think  it  could  be  done  to  advantage. 

I  am  with  you  in  this.  Please  keep  me  i)osted.  If  I  can  be  of 
service,  I  am  yours  to  command. 

Yours  fraternally,  A.  Failor. 

This  correspondent  proved  of  value,  as  a  timely 

friend. 

The  close  of  the  A'ear  1867  found  me  as  busy 


Oidgin  of  the  Order.  6i 

with,  the  work  as  I  could  desire.  I  had  determined 
to  get  up  a  Subordinate  Grange,  and  drill  in  our 
Kitual,  so  as  to  perfect  it. 

With  this  in  view,  I  made  several  copies  for  use 
of  the  various  officers.  Ireland  joined  in  this  work 
wdth  much  vim,  and  we  secured  the  aid  of  several 
fellow-clerks  in  the  Post-office  Department.  Among 
them  were  J.  Espy  Douglass,  W.  G.  Perry,  A.  F. 
Moulton,  J.  II.  Cook,  B.  C.  Major,  and  II.  Ding- 
man.  These  and  their  waives  were  to  he  admitted 
gratuitously,  for  the  service  they  would  render. 

January  7th,  1868,  we  had  a  special  meeting  called 
by  the  Master,  who,  with  Ireland  and  myself,  con- 
stituted the  '■'■hod\f\  present.  We  instructed  Bro. 
Ireland  to  organize  a  Subordinate  Grange,  under 

the  supervision  of  ^  the ,  ITational,  as  a  school  of 
instruction. 

The  followmg  was  our,." Dispensation"  for  the 
purpose : 

"  The  National  Grange,  Patrons  of  Husbandry,  hereby  estab- 
lishes a  Subordinate  Grange  in  Washington,  D.  C,  as  a  school 
of  instruction.  Tlie  same  will  be  under  the  direct  supervision  of 
the  National  Grange,  receiving  all  emoluments,  tfnd  defraying  all 
expenses. 

"At  any  time,  those  who  pass  to  the  fourth  degree,  well  versed 
in  the  Ritual,  desire  to  withdraw  and  organize  one  or  more  Sub- 
ordinate Granges,  the  National  will  grant  them  Charters  for  the 
same,  free  of  expense. 


62  Patrons  of  Hiisbandiy. 

"This  Grange  shall  be  known  as  Potomac  Grange,  Ko.  1. 

"Its  principal  object  is  to  instruct  its  members  in  the  degree 
work,  by  which  they  will  be  enabled  to  aid  in  organizing  Granges 
in  other  places. 

"Every  member  is  expected  to  make  him  or  herself  familiar 
with  the  work  in  every  part,  so  that  when  called  uixjd  he  or  she 
can  fill  any  position. 

"  The  Grange  will  be  opened  each  evening  by  an  officer  of  the 
National  Grange,  who  will  assign  positions  for  the  evening,  by 
lot  or  otherwise." 

We  decided  to  meet  in  a  room  on  Xintli  Street, 
on  tlie  eveninsT  of  tlie  eifrlitli  of  Januarv.  That 
afternoon  McDowell  arrived.  In  tlie  evening,  lie  at- 
tended our  first  subordinate  meeting.  Bro.  Ii-eland 
presided  as  Master,  and  Grosh  as  Chaplain.  The 
room  was  so  filled  with  office  furniture,  we  could 
not  drill  to  any  advantage,  and  decided  to  have  our 
next  meeting  at  Union  League  Hall. 

The  next  dav  I  introduced  McDowell  to  Trimble 
and  Thompson,  when  the  organization  and  Consti- 
tution of  the  Order  was  taken  into  consideration. 
We  had  a  meeting  that  evening,  and  our  Constitu- 
tion then  read  as  follows : 

ARTICLE  2,  Section  1.— The  head  of  the  Order  shall  consist 
of  three  delegates  from  each  State  and  Territory,  and  one  from 
the  District  of  Columbia. 

Sec.  2.  The  delegates  shall  be  elected  annually  by  ballot,  by 
the  State  and  Territorial  Granges,  except  in  the  District  of  Col- 


63 


F.   M.    McOOWELL. 


Origi)i  of  the  Order.  6j 

umbia,  where  the  Subordinate  Granges  shall  elect  their  delegates 
by  joint  ballot. 

Sec.  3.  In  States  or  Territories,  where  no  State  or  Territorial 
Grange  exist,  the  National  Grange  may  appoint  delegates — resi- 
dents—who shall  be  entitled  to  all  the  privileges  of  elected  dele- 
gates. 

Sec.  4,  Past  Officers  of  the  National  Grange  shall  be  ex-officio 
members  of  the  National  Grange,  and  past  officers  of  a  State 
Grange  shall  be  ex-officio  members  of  a  State  Grange. 

It  was  suggested  by  McDowell  to  change  this 
entirely,  as  once  we  were  fairly  started,  those  now 
engaged  in  establishing  the  Order  would,  perhaps, 
be  thrown  overboard,  and  the  whole  aim  of  our 
work  changed.  If  the  Order  amounted  to  any- 
thing in  numbers,  designing  men  would  get  control 
of  it  under  such  a  plan  of  organization. 

Trimble  was  requested  to  offer  a  substitute,  but 
he  declined  on  the  ground  that  his  duty  was  exclu- 
sively to  pick  flaws.  lie  was  known  as  the  "wet 
blanket"  of  the  Institution,  and  as  such,  believed 
he  could  do  more  good  than  in  any  other  way.  lie 
told  us  to  go  ahead  with  our  plans,  and  when  he 
could  not  see  a  chance  to  find  fault,  we  might  con- 
sider ourselves  pretty  good  workmen. 

During  the  following  week  we  had  frequent 
meetings,  which  resulted  in  a  new  plan  and  organi- 
zation, consisting  of  seven  degrees. 


6^  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

The  Seventh  (Demeter)  embraced  features  entirely 
new  to  lis;  being,  in  fact,  a  continuation  of  an 
ancient  Association  once  so  flourishing  in  the  East. 
It  gave  us  all  the  antiquity  we  could  ask  for,  and 
was  received  from  ISIcDowell  and  his  associates,  as 
the  controlling  degree  of  the  Order,  all  others  being 
subordinate.  He  was  accepted  as  the  supreme 
head,  with  the  title  of  High  Priest. 

This  was  submitted  to  Dr.  Trimble,  and  pro- 
nounced by  him  "well  done,"  and  read  as  follows: 

ORGANIZATION. 
STJBORDIKATE  GRANGES. 

1st  Degree:   Laborer,  (male.)     Maid,  (female.) 
2d  Degree:   Cultivator,  (male.)     Shepherdess,  (female.) 
3d  Degree  :   Harvester,  (male.)     Gleaner,  (female.) 
4tli  Degree  :  Husbandman,  (male.)    Matron,  (female.) 

STATE  GRANGE. 

5tli  Degree,  Pomona,  (Hope.) 

Composed  of  Masters  and  Past  Masters  of  Subordinate  Granges, 
who  are  entitled,  ex-officio,  to  the  Fifth  Degree. 

NATIONAL  grange — (COUNCIL.) 

6th  Degree  :  Flora,  (Charity.) 

Composed  of  Masters  and  Past  Masters  of  State  Granges,  who 
are  entitjed,  ex-officio,  to  the  Sixth  Degree,  and  meet  annually. 
They  cpnstitute  the  National  Council. 

SENATE. 

7th  Degree:  Ceres,  (Faith.) 
Composed  of  members  of  the  Council  who  have  served  one 


Ongin  of  the  Order.  6j 

year  therein,  who,  after  the  expiration  of  their  first  year's  service 
in  the  Council,  arc  entitled,  ex-officio,  to  the  Seventh  Degree,  to 
be  conferred  at  the  next  or  any  subsequent  session  of  the  National 
Grange.  All  who  have  thus  attained  to  this  degree  are  thereafter 
members  of  the  Senate,  and  entitled  to  seats  and  votes  therein. 

All  acts  and  resolutions  originate  in  the  Council,  (Sixth  Degree,) 
subject  to  the  approval  or  rejection  of  the  Senate,  (Seventh 
Degree.) 

The  Subordinate  Granges  in  the  District  of  Columbia,  elect  on 
joint  ballot,  once  in  two  years,  a  Delegate  to  represent  said 
Granges  in  the  National  Grange.  He  must  be  either  a  Master  or 
Past  Master,  and  on  receiving  the  degrees,  ranks  the  same  as  a 
Kepresentative  of  a  State  Grange. 

The  Senate  of  the  National  Grange  having  the  power,  may 
confer  Degrees  of  the  Order  which  they  have  received,  upon 
such  persons  as  they  may  deem  worthy  ;  and  may  delegate  that 
power,  except  as  to  the  Seventh  and  last  Degree,  to  one  of  their 
number,  to  be  used  for  the  purjjose  of  establishing  the  Order  in 
such  parts  of  the  United  States  where  it  does  not  now  exist ;  but 
the  Degree  of  Ceres  or  Demeter  shall  not  be  conferred,  unless 
in  open  Senate,  at  an  Annual  Meeting. 

It  will  be  observed  that  "while  we  thus  entirely 
changed  our  form  of  ora-anization  we  did  not  hold 
another  election,  as  the  Seventh  Degree  accepted 
the  officers  elected  under  the  old  Association,  and 
we  then  felt  encouraged  to  push  our  work  with 
more  earnestness. 

On  the  14th,  being  desirous  of  counting  Doctor 
■Trimble  as  one  of  our  officers,  I  wrote  him,  urging 
5 


66  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

that  lie  take  the  position  of  Chaplain,  but  he  replied 

as  follows  : 

January  15<7i,  1867. 
Dear  Kelley  : 

Your  kind  letter  is  received.  I  appreciate  higlily  your 
kind  intentions  in  offering  me  tlie  Cliaplaincy  in  your  Order — an 
Order  of  whicli  I  have  not  tlie  shadow  of  doubt  as  to  its  great 
success.  But  without  seeming  (for  I  am  not)  obstinate  in  the 
premises,  permit  me  to  kindly  decline  the  honor. 

My  fixed  resolve,   (some  time  ago  taken)  is  not  to  connect  my- 
self with  any  Order  in  an  official  character. 

Faithfully  yours,  John  Trimble,  Jr. 

By  mutual  consent,  we  put  Brother  Grosh  down 
as  Chaplain. 

On  the  15th  of  January,  I  wrote  Bartlett  relative 
to  our  union  with  McDowell. 

McDowell  and  Saunders  left  that  day  to  attend 
the  meeting  of  the  Pennsylvania  Horticultural  So- 
ciety at  Harrishurg. 

On  the  2d  of  February,  I  received  the  following 

letter  from  McDowell : 

AVatne,  K  Y.,  January  BOth,  1868. 
Brother  Kellet  : 

Yours  of  Friday  is  at  hand.  All  right.  Send  the  circu- 
lars when  you  get  them.  I  trust  you  will  receive  the  appoint- 
ment we  spoke  of  long  before  the  first  of  March,  and  that  by  that 
time  everything  will  be  perfect,  so  that  you  can  set  the  ball  in 
motion  at  once.  When  it  is  in  motion,  all  opponents  will  need 
to  stand  from  under.  I  cannot  quite  make  up  my  mind  to  endorse 
the  idea  of  soliciting  donations,  still,  if  our  Worthy  Master  and 


Origin  of  the  Order.  6j 

brothers  think  it  best,  I  will  cheerfully  consent  and  aid.  I  am  but 
just  home,  and  very  busy.  Hope  to  hear  from  you  often,  and 
■will  write  you  more  at  length  after  a  few  days. 

F.  31.  McDowell. 

It  was  now  determined  to  issue  a  new  circular, 
giving  a  review  of  our  aims  and  objects.  After 
several  attempts,  both  by  Saunders  and  myself,  he 
furnished  the  copy  of  our  second  circular,  which 
Ireland  sent  to  Philadelphia  and  had  printed.  Of 
this  edition,  we  had  one  thousand,  for  which  Ireland 
paid  $15.00,  which  amount,  and  several  other  dona- 
tions similar,  yet  stand  to  his  credit  unpaid. 

This  lot  of  circulars  was  received  February  3d, 
1868,  and  answered  the  purpose  of  letter  sheets 
as  well.  It  contained  no  new  ideas;  nothing  more 
than  a  review  of  suggestions  found  in  the  preceding 
pages,  and  reads  as  follows: 

"Sir  :— We  beg  to  solicit  your  attention  to  an  organization 
now  being  established  for  the  purpose  of  increasing  the  general 
happiness,  wealth,  and  prosperity  of  the  country.  It  is  based 
upon  the  axioms  that  the  products  of  the  soil  comprise  the  basis 
of  all  wealth  ;  that  individual  happiness  depends,  in  a  great  de- 
gree, upon  general  prosperity,  and  that  the  wealth  of  the  coun- 
try will  depend  altogether  upon  the  general  intelligence  and 
mental  culture  of  the  producing  classes.  The  best  mode  of  se- 
curing a  diffusion  of  knowledge,  with  a  view  to  its  application  to 
the  increase  of  the  products  of  the  soil,  is  therefore  one  of  the 
most  important  questions  that  can  be  propounded,  and  we  hope 
greatly  to  facilitate  its  solution  by  the  results  that  will  follow  the 


6S  Patrofis  cf  Hushandiy. 

work  of  the  organization  to  -which  we  alUide,  and  concerning 
which  we  take  the  liberty  of  asking  you  to  favor  us  with  your 
considerate  opinion,  suggestions,  and  advice. 

"Afl  existing  popular  modes  of  creating  an  interest  in  agri- 
culture and  kindred  pursuits  have  been  carefully  scanned  and 
studied.  Agricultural  fairs  enlist  attention,  and,  to  a  certain  ex- 
tent, excite  competition  ;  but  it  is  becoming  a  matter  of  history 
that  these  associations  are  gradually  losing  their  influence, — the 
novelty  and  excitement  of  horse-racing,  and  other  scenes  still  less 
commendable,  are  looked  upon  as  essential  to  their  success,  if  not 
to  their  very  existence.  Clubs  for  mutual  instruction  and  friend- 
ly interchange  of  ideas,  seem  to  lose  their  interest  as  soon  as  the 
first  excitement  of  organization  is  passed.  Even  fruit-growers' 
societies,  with  all  their  attractions,  only  enlist  a  few  enthusiasts, 
whose  efforts  are  scarcely  felt  by  the  great  producing  masses  of 
the  country.  The  incentive  to  the  formation  of  these  societies 
results  from  a  recognition  of  the  well  known  principle  that  unity 
of  action  is  necessary  to  secure  success,  but  to  encourage  and 
maintain  progressive  success,  this  unity  must  be  made  solid  and 
permanent,  not  trivial  and  spasmodic,  and  from  a  preponderance  of 
the  latter  we  may  trace  the  main  cause  of  failures  in  these  organi- 
zations. 

"On  the  other  hand,  we  may  reflect  upon  the  fact  that  certain 
associations  have  stood  the  test  of  ages  and  even  centuries,  as  for 
example,  the  Masonic  Order,  and  their  interest,and  the  objects  of 
their  nurture  constantlj-  increasing,  instead  of  diminishing,  we  may 
well  pause  and  ask  :  'In  -what  does  their  permanency  consist?' 
"We  can  only  find  one  s;itisfactor3'  answer  to  this  question,  and 
that  is  their  secrecy.  If  then,  this  is  the  great  element  of  emi- 
nent success,  why  not  embrace  it  in  associations  for  the  spread 
and  increase  of  knowledge,  and  for  the  noble  purpose  of  adding 
to  national  wealth  and  power?     If  this  simple  principle  is  the 


Origin  of  the   Order.  dp 

« 

keystone  of  a  permanent  foundation,  why  not  secure  it?  If  such 
a  slender  thread  as  a  secret  or  exclusive  ceremony  of  initiation 
before  membersliip  c;in  ho  secured  will  bind  a  society,  then  let  us 
adopt  that  mode  of  forming  a  farming  community  into  bodies 
where  they  will  have  a  tangible  existence,  where  unity  of  action 
can  be  enforced  by  discipline,  and  where  discipline  can  be  secured 
by  significant  organization. 

"Reflections  similar  to  the  above  have  resulted  in  the  forma- 
tion of  an  Order,  known  as  the  '  Pateoxs  op  IIusbandry.  '  A 
constitution  for  the  guidance  of  the  Order  has  been  prepared  ; 
four  initiatory  degrees,  representing  the  four  seasons,  have  also 
been  completed,  and  they  contain  the  novel  beauty  and  secrecy 
that  will  make  the  society  '  ever  budding,  ever  new.' 

"  Women  are  admitted,  as  well  as  young  persons  of  both  sexes 
over  the  age  of  sixteen  and  eighteen  respectively.  It  is  hoped  by 
this  means  a  love  for  rural  life  will  be  encouraged  ;  the  desire  for 
excitement  and  amusement,  so  prevalent  in  youth,  will  be  grati- 
fied, instead  of  being  repressed  ;  not,  however,  in  frivolities  as 
useless  for  the  future  as  they  are  for  the  present,  but  by  directing 
attention  to  the  wonder-workings  of  nature,  and  leading  the  mind 
to  enjoy  and  appreciate  that  never-ending  delight  which  follows 
these  studies,  whether  pursued  in  the  animal,  vegetable,  or  mine- 
ral kingdoms. 

''Young men  are  constantly  being  attracted  to  the  cities  from 
the  country,  leaving  behind  them  one  of  the  most  certain  sources 
of  comfortable  competence,  for  that  of  precarious  competition  in 
channels  already  overflowing.  There  are  undoubtedly  good  and 
sufficient  reasons  for  this  migratory  tendency,  and  a  want  of 
attractions  for  the  mind — something  beyond  the  exercise  result- 
ing from  mere  mechanical  employment,  is  one  of  the  chief. 

"We  solicit  the  co-operation  of  woman,  because  of  a  convic- 
tion that,  without  her  aid,  success  will  be  less  certain  and  decided. 


70  Patrons  of  Husbandly. 

« 
Much  might  be  said  in  this  connection,  but  every  husband  and 

brother  knows  that  where  he  can  be  accompanied  by  his  wife  or 

sister,  no  lessons  will  be  learned  but  those  of  purity  and  truth. 

"With  regard  to  the  modes  of  education,  mention  may  be 
made  of  mutual  instruction  through  the  reading  of  essays  and 
discussions,  lectures,  formation  of  select  libraries,  circulation  of 
magazines  and  other  publications  treating  directly  upon  the  main 
subject  desired,  namely,  those  inculcating  the  principles  govern- 
ing our  operation  in  the  field,  orchard  and  garden.  It  may  be 
remarked,  that  all  of  these  measures  are  now  in  existence,  so  that 
their  introduction  is  neither  new  nor  novel.  To  this  we  answer 
that  their  indirect  application  under  a  comprehensive  and  con- 
trolling principle  is  both  new  and  novel,  and  one  that  has  not 
been  employed  previously  for  the  same  objects. 

"It  is  gratifying  to  know  that  the  agricultural  and  horticultu- 
ral press  has  never  faltered,  and  if  success  had  been  at  all  com- 
mensurate with  the  zeal  and  ability  displayed  in  its  management, 
the  country  would,  at  this  hour,  be  wealthier  and  happier.  It  is 
not  one  of  the  least  of  our  hopes  to  be  able  to  extend  their  influ- 
ence and  open  up  a  wider  field  for  their  usefulness. 

"The  novelty  of  this  organization,  and  the  manner  it  proposes 
of  introducing  a  system  of  special  education,  has  hitherto  pre- 
vented the  originators  from  publicly  calling  attention  to  the  work; 
they  have,  so  far,  only  asked  the  advice  of  personal  friends,  but 
the  great  favor  with  which  it  has  been  received  prompts  to  a 
bolder  action,  satisfied  that  the  noble  purposes  to  which  the 
Order  is  dedicated  will  command  the  serious  attention  of  all. 

"We  ignore  all  political  or  religious  discussions  in  the  Order  ; 
we  do  not  solicit  the  patronage  of  any  sect,  association  or  indi- 
vidual upon  any  grounds  whatever,  except  upon  the  intrinsic 
merits  of  the  Order.  It  needs  no  such  patronage,  and  would  not 
be  what  it  is  if  it  did. 


Origin  of  the  Order.  'jl 

"Any  suggestions  that  j'ou  may  make  in  order  to  assist  in  the 
completion  of  the  objects  in  view  may  be  addressed  to  the  under- 
signed." 

I  resigned  my  position  in  the  Post  Office  Depart- 
ment in  Februaiy,  and  gave  my  entire  time  to  com- 
pleting the  work.  I  was  getting  anxious  to  start 
out  to  establisli  the  Order.  It  was  very  evident, 
what  we  had  done  woukl  need  some  pruning,  and 
experience  with  it  woukl  be  of  great  value.  I 
suggested  that  we  have  but  one  ceremonv  for  the 

OCT'  «^ 

ladies,  until   I   could   secure    other   aid   to  perfect 
them.     I  so  wrote  Bartlett,  to  which  he  replied  as 

follows : 

NoKTH  Madison,  February  8t7i,  1868. 
Dkar  Brother  : 

Yours  of  the  4th  instant  came  to  hand  last  evening — (the 

new  circular,  the  evening  before). 

I  am  neither  frightened  nor  discouraged,  but  have  been  labor- 
ing under  difficulties,  and  have  accomplished  nothing  of  import- 
ance. Your  last  has,  however,  given  me  doubts  of  the  ultimate 
and  complete  success,  for  which  I  had  hoped  and  labored,  for 
our  Order. 

Already  I  discover  that  your  movement  to  have  but  one 
degree  for  the  ladies,  will,  among  our  population,  be  received 
unftivorably,  and  I  fear  that  right  there  is  a  rock  in  our  path 
Avhich,  unless  we  use  our  utmost  caution,  will  wreck  our  hopes. 

The  case  is  just  here  : — We  ask  the  co-operation  of  woman, 
and  advance  the  idea  that  she  is  to  be  held  and  considered  the 
equal  of  man  in  all  respects.  This  is  right.  It  is  just.  But 
here  comes  a  proposition  to  engraft  in  the  Ritual,  that  which,  at 


^2  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

a  glance,  declares  that  we  do  not  regard  her  as  equal ;  that  she 
is,  to  some  extent,  a  child  to  be  appeased  by  a  bauble ;  and, 
depend  upon  it,  earnest,  active,  energetic  women,  who  are  just 
that  class  of  females  which  we  want,  if  we  have  any,  will 
look  upon  this  as  a  sort  of  wheedling  attempt  to  secure  their 
patronage  and  propitiate  their  favor,  without  giving  them  the 
reality,  without  placing  them  in  a  position  where  they  can 
wield  such  an  influence  as  they  otherwise  might. 

Again,  you  are  well  enough  acquainted  with  human  nature, 
to  know  that  although  you  may  concede  all  that  may  be  essen- 
tial, that  in  fact  by  making  woman  a  full  member  by  one  initia- 
tion, she  really  possesses  an  advantage  over  the  other  sex  ;  still, 
she  will  look  with  suspicion  on  the  movement,  and  will  demand 
the  reason  for  this  distinction,  even  although  there  may  be  no 
real  dilTerence. 

This  matter  of  introducing  females  into  secret  societies,  is  no 
new  thing,  but  as  you  are  well  aware,  it  is  by  just  some  such 
sort  of  side  degree,  and  I  do  not  know  of  a  woman  who  has 
taken  one  or  more  of  these  degrees,  who  considers  them  of  any 
practical  value,  and  numbers  of  the  daughters  and  wives  of 
Masons,  who  will  not  even  listen  to  any  communication  of  these 
degrees,  "for,"  they  say,  "unless  we  can  have  the  whole,  and 
become  full  members,  we  care  nothing  for  these."  Again,  in 
Odd  Fellowship,  the  degree  of  Rebekah,  instead  of  being  an 
element  of  strength,  is  a  source  of  weakness  and  dissention  to 
the  Order. 

The  doctrine  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  "that  all 
mankind  are  created  free  and  equal,  and  possessing  the  inalien- 
able right  to  the  pursuit  of  happiness,"  has  all  along  been  the 
guiding  star  for  me  in  all  that  I  have  said,  done  or  Avritten,  to 
promote  the  establishment  of  this  ncAV  Order,  and  the  fact  that 
it  was  proposed  in  the  outset  to  make  it  common  to  both  sexes, 


Origin  of  tlic  Order.  7J 

was  to  me  one  of  its  best  features  and  strongest  recommenda- 
tions. 

The  world  is  moving ;  the  inception  and  organization  of  this 
Order,  is  one  evidence  of  tliat  fact.  Let  us  then  throw  our- 
selves in  this  work,  with  the  consciousness  that  we  are  taking 
an  advance  step.  Let  us  try  to  recognize  the  fact  that  unless  we 
hce'p  in  advance,  we  are  in  danger  of  being  run  over  and  buried 
out  of  sight  by  the  advancing  tide  of  progress  ;  that  instead  of 
being  regarded  as  active  workers  in  the  Reformation  of  the 
world,  we  shall  be  pointed  at  as  having  stood  in  the  way  of 
advancing  ideas. 

lam  not  what  is  popularly  known  as  a  "  "Woman's  Right's 
man;"  still,  I  regard  it  as  merely  a  question  of  time,  that  our 
statute  books  and  constitutions  will  eventually  recognize  woman 
as  the  equal  of  man,  just  as  surely  as  the  tiller  of  the  soil  will 
be  recognized  as  the  peer  of  any  in  the  land. 

The  march  of  civilization  and  republican  ideas  point  just  as 
surely  to  the  consummation  of  these  ideas,  as  the  tramp  of  coming 
time,  and  nothing  but  our  liberty  and  the  extinction  of  republican 
government  can  possibly  prevent  it. 

In  fact,  I  believe  the  preservation  of  democratic  institutions 
depends  upon  the  education,  elevation,  and  advancement  of  the 
laboring  classes  ;  that  unless  the  idea  can  be  successfully  combat- 
ted,  that  labor  is  degrading,  we  shall  be  in  danger  of  losing  our 
free  government ;  but  that  if  the  idea  can  be  established  that 
labor  is  noble,  and  that  the  tiller  of  the  soil  is  nature's  true  noble- 
man, and  the  peer  of  anything  human,  the  permanency  of  free 
institutions  is  a  fixed  fact.  But  in  order  to  accomplish  this  result, 
the  willing,  active  co-operation  of  women  is  indispensable.  It  is 
to  woman  as  a  mother,  that  the  entire  infantile  mind  of  the  nation 
is  entrusted,  and  ninety-nine  cases  out  of  every  one  hundred,  the 
principles  implanted  in  the  infantile  mind  through  the  instru- 


7^  Patrons  of  Hiisbajidry. 

mentality  of  the  mother's  teachings,  govern  and  control  the  whole 
subsequent  life  of  the  individual,  for  there  never  was  a  more  true 
saying  than 

"  'Tis  education  forms  the  human  mind, 
Just  as  the  twifj  is  bent  the  tree  's  inclined." 

The  interests,  the  destiny,  and  the  social  relations  of  man  and 
woman  are  identical.  She  was  intended  by  her  Creator  to  be 
neither  the  slave,  the  tyrant,  nor  the  plaything  of  man,  but  to  be 
his  help-meet,  his  companion,  and  his  equal ;  and  in  the  words  of 
J.  R.  Lowell — 

"  Laboring  man  and  laboring  woman, 
Have  one  glory  and  one  shame, 
Ev'rything  that's  done  inhuman. 
Injures  all  of  them  the  same." 

You  do  not  give  any  of  the  reasons  which  may  have  determined 
you  to  this  one  degree  idea  for  the  women,  which  I  regret,  as  I 
might  better  be  enabled  to  judge  of  its  correctness,  or  of  combat- 
ting the  proposition  if  in  possession  of  your  reasons.  But  in  my 
opinion  this  is  the  most  serious  mistake  you  have  yet  made,  and 
I  cannot  but  think,  when  you  have  carefully  reconsidered  the 
matter,  you  will  abandon  this  idea,  and  adhere  to  the  original 
plan. 

My  motion  is  just  this  :  that  unless  we  carefully  read  the  signs 
of  times,  and  plant  ourselves,  in  fact,  on  advance  ground,  we  will 
soon  be  left  behind  in  the  race  of  life.  That  here  in  the  organi- 
zation of  this  Order  is  the  opportunity  to  initiate  mighty  reforms  ; 
that  it  will  be  expected  of  us  to  do  so,  and  the  world  will  be  dis- 
appointed if  we  do  not.  And  here  may  be  inaugurated  the  idea 
of  equality  between  the  sexes  without  doing  violence  to  any 
person's  feelings  or  prejudices.  Understand  that  I  do  not  advo- 
cate any  utopican  idea  of  "Woman's  Rights,"  but  simply  that 


Origin  of  the  Order.  75* 

the  disabilities  be  removed.  Let  us  then,  1)}'  all  means,  so  frame 
the  work  of  this  Order  tliat  there  shall  be  at  least  the  appearance 
of  equality  ;  varied,  of  course,  to  suit  the  conditions  of  the  sexes, 
and  I  firmly  believe  that  we  shall  never  regret  that  we  did  so. 

The  preparation  of  the  ladies'  degrees  I  regard  as  a  more 
difficult  work  than  those  for  the  men.  It  is  entering  a  new  and 
untried  field,  and  the  whole  field  of  human  nature  must  be 
studied  and  scanned  before  making  a  determination.  Something 
more  is  needed  than  merely  to  excite  the  vanity  and  tickle  the 
fancy.  Fraternally  yours,         A.  Bautlett. 

I  replied  as  follows : 

February  12th,  1868. 
My  Deak  Brother  : 

Among  my  letters  to-night  I  was  made  happy  by  one  from 

you.     First  of  all,  about  the  ladies'  degree  ;  it  is  thus.     When  we 

get  men  and  women  of  talent  connected  with  our  Order,  there 

will  be  some,  no  doubt,  who  can  get  up  degrees  of  magnificent 

character.     Now  I  am  opposed  to  all  side  degrees.     I  want  all  to 

be  on  the  main  track,  hence  I  favored  leaving  the  space  open  for 

three  new  degrees  or  ceremonies  for  the  ladies  and  let  them  come 

in  to  fill  these  spaces. 

The  ladies  are  not  slighted  in  the  least.  "We  confer  their  cere- 
mony when  they  enter  the  Order ;  it  is  in  open  grange  ;  they 
take  part ;  are  present  in  all  the  men's  ceremonies,  and  know 
everything  about  the  order.  It  was  also  thought  to  take  too 
much  time  if  we  had  separate  ceremonies  for  them  in  each 
degree,  but  your  letter  will  set  all  to  rights.  I  agree  with  you  in 
every  particular  about  tJie  ladies.  If  they  will  be  patient,  we 
will  have  four  ceremonies  for  them  that  will  eclipse  all  the  rest. 

I  am  drilling  some  fifteen  gents  in  the  degree  work  here. 
Meeting  two  evenings  in  the  week,  and  hope  by  a  week  hence 
to  introduce  as  many  ladies,  and  then  commence  in  good  earnest. 


y6  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

Go  ahead  in  letters  to  the  different  papers.  Have  the  "Patrons" 
known  everywhere  by  name.    I  will  follow  along  and  help  organize, 

******  We  have  a  glorious  work 
before  us  and  must  be  active. 

Letters  are  continually  coining  in,  asking  "what  pecuniary- 
benefits  are  members  to  receive  ?  If  farmers  see  they  can  get 
good  interest  on  their  money  that  is  paid  for  membership  they 
will  join  in  a  body."     Here  is  one  that  has  been  proposed. 

*****  You  can  perhaps  suggest  other 
plans  whereby  we  can,  by  mutual  co-operation,  benefit  our 
members.  O.  H.  K. 

My  time  during  February  and  March  was  devoted 
to  perfecting  our  Ritual,  by  working  up  a  Subordi- 
nate Grange.  We  did  considerable  pruning  in 
abbre\nating  sentences  and  correcting  grammar. 
J.  R.  Thompson  rendered  some  good  service  in  the 
way  of  suggestions. 

I  had  considerable  anxiety  at  the  delays  I  en- 
countered. There  were  some  lectures  wanted  for 
different  officers.  Those  for  the  ladies  were  lacking 
as  late  as  February  9th,  when  I  received  from 
Saunders  the  Address  of  Ceres  on  presenting  can- 
didate with  an  ear  of  corn,  or  other  grain. 

On  the  back  of  this,  I  find  a  memorandum,  "This 
comes  at  the  eleventh  hour.  We  have  had  three 
meetings  of  the  School:  now  rehearsing  the  First 
and  Second  Degrees." 

The  following  was  for  Flora  in  the  First  Degree, 


Origin  of  the  Order.  yj 

furnished  by  Rev.  Mr.  Grosli.  Those  famiUar  with 
the  present  lecture,  will  see  an  example  of  the 
pruning  done.  Flora  in  this  First  Degree  was  to 
represent  Feronia: 

"Anciently,  I  welcomed  the  manumitted  slave  to 
freedom.     To  me  he  sacrificed  his  flowing  locks, 
and  I  crowned  him  with  the  liberty  cap.     So,  freed 
from   the   io-norance   and   selfishness   of  the   outer 
world,  I  now  welcome  you  to  the  liberty  of  our 
Grange,  and  the   free-will   labors  of  our  accepted 
Husbandry.     In   return,  I   aslv  you   to   remember, 
that  to  me  belongs  the  fruits  of  the  forest,  and  its 
garlands  of  greenery  and  wild  wood  flowers.     In 
your  pioneer  labors,  freely  cut  away  the  tangled 
poison  vine  and  cumbering  bramble;  freely  appro- 
priate the  sturdy  tree  for  building,  or  for  imple- 
ments and  fuel ;  freely  clear  the  ground  needed  for 
fruitful   field    and    grassy  lawn   or   meadow:    but 
remember  that  belts,  and  groves,  and  isolated  trees, 
are  needed  for  shelter,  shade,  and  ornament.    There- 
fore, restrain  the  leveling  axe  when  its  sufiicient 
work  is  done.     Spare  the  flowering  trees  and  shrubs 
that  are  needed  to  lend  fragrance  to  the  breeze,  and 
beauty  to  the  landscape,  while  they  interfere  not 
with  man's  wants  and  pleasures;  spare  those  trees 
and  shrubs  whose  buds  and  leaves  are  needed  as 
medicine,  and  whose  nuts   add  zest  to  the  enjoy- 
ments  of  the  winter  evenings   and   fireside;    save 
enough  of  these  in  all  their  beauty  and  their  pride, 
to  ornament  the  landscape — to  shelter  house,  orchard 


7<?  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

and  field,  from  blasting  winds — to  give  restoratives 
to  the  sick,  and  refreshing  shade  to  the  over-heated 
and  weary.  So  shall  the  artist  who  copies  nature, 
and  the  lano-uishino;  who  need  their  ministrations — 
the  country  maiden,  garlanded  with  wreaths  and  wild- 
wood  flowers — the  nutters  and  berriers,  with  bursting 
bags  and  mantling  baskets — the  laborer's  family  at 
their  fruit  and  nut-crowned  feast, — and  the  city  den- 
izen at  the  purchased  country  luxuries,  praise  your 
kindly  mercy  and  discriminating  foresight,  as  the 
farmer  will  your  benevolently  destroying  zeal. 
Yea,  even  the  quadrupeds  who  aid  and  the  feath- 
ered tribes  who  cheer  your  labors,  will  call  for 
blessings  on  the  head  of  him  who  so  judiciously 
wielded  the  axe." 

February  XUli,  1868. 
Brotheu  McDowell  : 

Yours  of  10th  received.  I  think  we  shall  next  Wednesday- 
have  the  ladies  present  to  receive  the  First  Degree  ;  also  among 
our  number  a  splendid  quartette  club,*  which  has  practiced 
several  pieces,  to  come  in  with  the  degree  work.  We  have 
secured  a  nice  hall,  well  furnished, — piano,  etc. 

I  am  pushing  it  ahead  as  fast  as  possible.  Brothers  Saunders, 
Thompson,  and  Doctor  Trimble  are  animated. 

To-night  Ireland  says  to  me  :  "Supposing  it  should  all  fizzle 
out  within  a  year?"  I  don't  like  to  have  any  one  feeling  an 
interest,  say  so,  but  it  only  makes  me  more  resolute.  In  such  a 
grand  v/ork,  there  must  be  "no  such  word  as  fail." 

♦Quartette  clubs  are  not  reliable  for  music.  The  one  referred  to 
did  wonders  the  first  night,  but  they  never  got  four  together  after- 
wards.   One  usually  has  a  cold,  or  is  out  of  humor. 


Origin  of  the  Order.  Jg 

I  send  a  PhiladolphLii  paper  to-day,  in  which  j'ou  will  see  a 
letter  by  Doctor  Trimble.  Have  a  portion  of  it  published  in  one 
of  your  papers.  Interest  an  editor  in  the  Grange  that  is  to  be 
cstal)lished  in  your  neighborhood,  so  as  to  have  his  aid.  Take 
editors  in  "dead  head,"  and  lets  see  if  it  will  foil  !  Let  us  get 
an  editor  in  every  Grange.         ****** 

We  have  got  to  study  up  some  pecuniary  advantages  to  be 
gained  by  members  of  the  Order.     Set  your  wits  at  work. 

O.  H.  K. 

I  liad  advocated  the  insertion  of  a  few  words  in 
our  new  circular,  relative  to  co-operation  in  pro- 
tecting the  members  at  large  from  imposition  and 
frauds,  but  Bro.  Saunders  would  not  favor  it.  I  was 
satisfied  we  had  got  to  have  such  a  feature  to  make 
it  popular. 

Our  experience  with  our  school  of  instruction 
induced  us  to  add  to  the  interest  of  the  work,  by 
establishing  a  regular  Subordinate  G-range,  to  which 
we  gave  the  name  of  Harvest  Grange,  and  styling 
the  school  as  Potomac  Grans-e. 

Wednesday  evening,  February  19th,  1868,  we 
had  an  exceedingly  interesting  meeting  of  Potomac 
Grange,  at  the  hall  in  the  old  Intelligencer  building, 
at  which  the  first  man  ever  regularly  initiated  in 
"due  form"  in  our  Order,  received  the  First 
Degree — Brother  Poardman,  of  I^ew  York.  The 
ofiicers  ofiiciating  on  this  occasion  were  the  follow- 
ing: 


8o  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

William  M.  Irelakd,   -        -        -  Master. 

W.  A.  Gatley, Overseer. 

"W.  G.  Perry,  ...  Lecturer. 

H.  DiNGMAN,       -        .        .        i        -  Steward. 

J.  E.  Douglas,        .       .       -       .  Asst.  Steward. 

A.  F.  MouLDEN,  -        ...        -  Chaplain. 

Ed.  p.  Farris,        ....  Qate  Keeper. 
O.  H.  Kelley,     ...    Acting  as  Floor  Manager. 

Mrs.  Pynchon,        ....  Ceres. 

Mrs.  Perry, Pomona. 

Miss  Douglass,       •        .        .        -  Flora. 

Among  tliose  present,  were  Mrs.  Ireland,  Mrs. 
Moulden,  Mrs.  Dingman,  Mrs.  Gatley,  Mrs.  Gass, 
Brothers  Saunders,  Doctor  Trimble,  Tilden,  Mullen, 
Pynclion,  Glass,  Haley  and  Kerr. 

"We  Avorked  exclusively  from  manuscript  copies. 
It  Avas  to  me  a  very  clieering  meeting.  The  next 
day  I  wrote  McDowell  as  follows- 

February  20th,  1868. 
Bro.  McDowell  : 

Last  night  we  initiated  an  individual  in  due  form.     There 

were  present  thirty  Brothers  and  Sisters.     Full  half  were  ladies. 

All  expressed  themselves  highly  pleased  with  the  first  degree. 

*******  O.  H.  K. 

Another  letter  from  Bartlett  reviewed  the  subject 
of  fees  and  dues.     I  wrote  in  reply : 

February  22d,  1868. 
Bro.  Bartlett  : 

Yours  of  18th  received,  relative  to  funds  to  be  used  by  the 
National  Grange.     If  we  carry  out  our  design  to  send  out  Lee- 


Origin  of  the  Order.  8i 

turers,  and  distribute  printed  matter  in  tlie  form  of  tracts,  essays, 
charts,  etc.,  for  the  purpose  of  diffusing  Ivuowledge  among  the 
members  of  the  Order,  it  is  evident  we  must  have  money  to  do 
it  with.  Every  member  will  get  back  the  value  of  his  money 
before  he  has  been  connected  with  the  Order  six  months. 

They  do  not  object  to  paying  two  or  three  times  as  much  to 
join  the  Masons.  In  our  Order,  we  give  every  member  all 
Masonry  secures,  and  valuable  practical  knowledge  besides. 
Ours  is  an  operative  Order.  Masonry  is  merely  speculative. 
They  might  just  as  well  ask  where  the  money  goes  in  Masonry. 

If  we  meet  with  success,  it  is  presumed  the  issue  of  tracts  and 
pamphlets  (if  I  can  have  my  plans  carried  out),  will  correspond 
favorably,  even  with  the  Tract  Societies.  Our  issues,  however, 
will  be  strictly  agricultural,  and  kindred  interests. 

An  Order,  to  be  prosperous,  must  not  be  continually  begging 
money  of  its  members.  We  propose  to  add  the  insurance  feature 
to  our  Order.  *******  *  # 
Our  object  is  to  introduce  every  possible  feature  to  benefit  the 
farmers. 

I  fancy  members  will  not  grumble  much  at  the  manner  of 
using  the  funds.  I  hope,  however,  the  Officers  of  the  National 
Grange  will  prove  themselves  entitled  to  salaries  sufficient  to 
prompt  them  to  labor  diligently  for  the  benefit  of  the  members. 
I  advocate  the  Secretaries  of  the  Subordinate  Granges  receiving 
a  remuneration  in  proportion  to  their  membership.  By  this 
plan,  we  can  rely  upon  the  business  of  the  Granges  being 
attended  to  promptly. 

However,  do  not,  by  any  means,  urge  any  one  to  join.  Let 
them  act  their  pleasure.  We  will  have  members  enough,  and  as 
it  is  a  secret  Order,  it  is  not  necessary  to  publish  all  our  plans 
of  work. 

Relative  to  representation  in  the  National  Grange,  we  hope  to 
6 


82  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

make  the  work  sufficiently  popular,  that  good  men  will  be 
chosen  for  Masters,— those  who  will  take  pride  in  representing 
their  respective  Granges  ;  but  if  we  find  any  State  is  likely  to  be 
unrepresented,  we  can  easily  devise  means  to  remedy  it. 

The  great  fear  here  has  been,  that  too  many  would  be  congre- 
gated. My  idea  is,  that  when  a  State  or  the  National  Grange  is 
in  session,  the  concourse  should  be  large  enough  to  let  the 
people  know  we  were  in  motion.  I  hope  to  see  the  time  when 
the  convening  of  the  National  Grange  will  be  as  great  an  event 
as  can  take  place  on  this  Continent. 

From  present  indications,  no  Order  ever  existed  which  created 
such  a  furore,  as  the  Patrons  will. 

Thirty  were  present  at  the  last  meeting  of  Potomac  Grange, 
No.  1,  and  we  anticipate  fifty  being  present  at  the  next  weekly 
meeting.     They  seem  inclined  to  go  into  it  blind. 

We  hope  to  get  a  proof-sheet  of  the  Constitution  this  coming 
week,  and  have  delayed  only  to  get  your  views  on  the  copy  sent. 
"We  have  no  time  to  lose.     All  are  waiting  our  movements.  *  *  * 

Our  only  want  just  now  is  money.  Had  we  a  friend  who 
would  advance  liberally  for  a  few  months,  until  we  get  Granges 
established,  we  could  easily  repay  with  interest.  Perhaps  some 
of  those  you  speak  of,  who  see  such  a  big  pile  coming  into  the 
National  Grange,  may  be  willing  to  advance  a  few  hundred. 

O.  H.  K. 

TliG  last  of  February  I  took  some  portions  of  our 

Ritual,  as  well  as  our  Constitution,  to  Cunningham 

&  Mcintosh,  Printers,  and  assumed  the  responsibility 

of  having  it  published. 

I  wrote  Bartlett  : 

March  Wi,  1868. 
"Our  Ritual  is  in  the  hands  of  the  printer;  will  be  finished 


Origin  of  tlic  Order.  8j 

this  week.     We  have  got  to  that  interesting  period  in  the  life  of 
all  organizations,  that  it  must  either  live  or  die. 

I  iini  ready  to  start  on  the  20th  to  formally  introduce  the  Order 
to  the  farmers.  Now  we  need  a  few  hundred  dollars  to  get 
under  way.  From  three  to  four  hundred  will  be  sufficient.  Can 
you  help  us  much  or  little  ?  Whatever  is  advanced  by  members 
of  the  National  Grange  will,  of  course,  be  repaid  as  soon  as 
funds  come  in. 

We  require  about  one  hundred  of  it  to  pay  what  we  owe  for 
printing.  We  here  have  contributed  from  time  to  time,  and 
kept  the  Order  in  motion,  and  now  we  want  to  push  out  boldly. 
With  a  little  timely  aid  the  work  will  be  a  success. 

O.  II.  K. 

I  wrote  tlius  to  McDowell: 

March  Qth,  18G8. 
Dear  Brother  : 

The  Constitution,  as  you  see,  is  published  at  last.     Rituals 

and  Dispensations  will  be  finished  this  week.     Then  I  am  ready, 

so  far  as  the  Order  is  concerned,  to  leave  this  place.     But  now 

to  get  the  funds  to  go  with.     I  wish  when  the  Duke  conferred 

those  degrees  upon  you,  he  had  made  a  donation  to  propagate 

them.         ******* 

Harvest  Grange,  No.  2,  meets  to-morrow  night  to  initiate 
several  new  members.  O.  II.  K. 

MarcJi  27t7i,  18G8. 
My  Dear  McDowell  : 

Yours  of  23d  received.     You  can  bet   on  the  Patrons. 

It's  an  institution.     We  have   working  men  and  women  in  it 

here.     Last  night  we  initiated  eight,— put  them  through  the 

four  degrees.     It  was  a  stormy  night,  but  we  had  a  good  turn 

out.     I  am  surprised  at  the  success  we  are  meeting  with.     All 


8^  Patrons  of  Hiisbandiy. 

declare  it  a  beautiful  Order,  and  work  cheerfully.     It  must  be 

popular  in  the  country  towns.     I  am  sanguine  of  success. 

I  hope  to  leave  here  next  Thursday  and  be  witli  you  Saturday. 
******* 

I  have  no  fear  of  want  of  funds  after  I  get  started.  Two  or 
three  hundred  dollars  will  set  us  in  motion  nicely,  and  I  sup- 
pose it  will  turn  up  somewhere.        ***** 

My  whole  mind  is  centered  in  the  work,  and  we  can  have  an 
Order  that  is  unequalled  :  but  we  must  be  active.        *        * 

Thompson  was  present  last  evening  for  the  first  time,  and 
served  as  Lecturer  during  the  first  degree.  He  came  to  me  and, 
shaking  my  hand,  said,  "Kelley  it's  a  success;  I  congratulate 
you."  He  said  he  had  an  engagement,  and  must  leave.  Doctor 
Trimble  was  also  present,  and  to  my  great  satisfaction  said,  "  for 
once,  I  have  no  objections  to  make.  The  Order  exceeds  my 
expectations.      You've  got  a  good  thing."         *         *        * 

My  dear  fellow,  rejoice  and  be  exceeding  glad.         O.  H.  K. 

ThistoBartlett: 

March  2Sth,  1868. 

Yours  of  25th  received.  I  am  glad  to  hear  once  more  from 
you.  I  expect  to  leave  here  on  Thursday  next,  enroute  for 
Minnesota.  Hope  to  find  you  somewhere  on  the  route.  Most  of 
the  month  of  April  I  propose  to  give  to  organizing  the  Order  on 
my  way  home.  Spend  a  few  weeks  there,  and  then  start  again. 
Jpropose  to  make  the  Patrons  my  special  business  until  the  Order 
is  firmly  established. 

If  our  friends  will  give  me  a  hearty  co-operation,  success  must 
be  rapid. 

To  amuse  you,   I  send  proof  sheets  of  our  Manual.     Will 
enclose  full  copy  by  Wednesday.         ***** 
You  will  see  considerable  of  your  own  composition  in  this,  and 
I  hope  it  will  please  you.        ****** 


Origin  of  the  Order.  Sj 

We  have  got  a  noble  work  before  us,  and  I  trust  God  will 
bless  our  labors.  For  the  past  two  months,  it  has  required  my 
entire  time.  I  shall  start  out  like  an  itinerant  preacher,  and  trust 
to  find  friends.  If  I  enter  a  town  and  don't  find  any,  I  shall 
make  myself  conspicuous,  brushing  the  dust  off  my  feet  as  I 
leave  it.  O.  H.  K. 

We  held  a  regular  session  prior  to  my  departure, 
and  I  here  give  a  report  of  the  same : 

NationaTj  Grange,         ) 
Saturday,  F.  M.,  March  2Sth,  1868.  ) 

"Worthy  INIastcr  Saunders  presided. 

Bro.  John  Trimble,  Jr.^  was  appointed  Secretary 
2Jro  iem. 

Present — Brothers  Grosh,  Ireland,  Thompson 
and  Kelley. 

It  was  decided  the  Secretary  be  given  a  letter  of 
credit,*  for  the  purpose  of  enabling  him  to  visit  the 
different  States  to  organize  the  Order,  which  reads 
as  follows: 


*This  general  letter,  though  very  handsome,  was  of  no  particular 
value.  I  soon  found  "pluck"  and  perseverance  the  most  valuable 
requisites.  The  greatest  obstacle  in  the  way  of  establishing  the  Order, 
was  the  assertion  that  it  was  controlled  by  Government  employees. 
If  any  of  them  had  a  reputation,  it  counted  nothing.  This  is  another 
peculiarity  of  the  American  people.  Make  anything  popular  with 
the  public,  and  all  will  take  stock  in  it.  I  learned  that  full  one-half 
of  our  great  men  are  almost  totally  unknown  to  the  people  at  large. 
The  less  any  American  tries  to  sail  on  a  "Avorld-wide  reputation," 
the  fewer  will  bo  the  rocks  he  will  strike. 


86  Patrons  of  Husbandrv: 

Patrons  of  Httsbandrt, 
National  Grange,   Washington,  D.  G. 

This  is  to  Certify,  That  Brother  O.  H.  Kellcy  is  Secretary  of 
the  National  Grange  of  the  Patrons  of  Husbandry,  and  as  such, 
is  authorized  to  establish  the  Order  in  any  portion  of  any  State 
or  Territory,  that  has  not  yet  been  brought  into  official  connec- 
tion with  the  National  Grange. 

He  is  hereby  fully  empowered  to  establish  Subordinate 
Granges,  to  issue  Dispensations,  and  to  confer  the  degrees  neces- 
sary for  the  organization  and  instruction  of  the  same. 

Brother  Kelley  is  also  authorized  to  receive  and  receipt  for  all 
monies  due  or  donated  to  the  National  Grange,  and  is  heartily 
recommended  to  the  sympathy  and  kindness  of  the  farming 
community,  and  all  interested  in  the  great  and  good  work.  He 
is  a  cultivated  gentleman,  and  in  every  way  worthy  of  the  con- 
fidence of  all  good  men. 

In  testimony  whereof,  we,  the  Officers  of  the  National  Grange, 
have  hereunto  set  our  hands  and  caused  the  seal  thereof  to  be 
affixed  hereto,  this  31st  day  of  March,  1868. 

William  Saunders,  Master. 
John  R  Thompson,  Lecturer. 
/■*-'>.^  Anson  Bartlett,  Overseer. 

A.  Sherwood  Moss,  Assistant  Steward. 


■I 


SEAL. 

A.  B.  Grosh,   Chaplain. 
W.  M.  Ireland,   Treasurer. 
Edward  P.  Farris,  Oate-Keeper. 
Attest:    John  Trimble,  Jr., 

Secretary  pro  tern. 

Bro.  Kelley  was  instructed  relative  to  the  manner 
of  imparting  tlie  degrees,  and  allowed  discretionary 
power  in  all  the  work. 


Origin  of  the   Order.  8f 

Relative  to  salary, — On  motion  of  Bro.  Trimble, 
it  was  decided  unanimously  that  the  Secretary, 
0.  II.  Kelley,  shall  receive  a  salary  of  two  thousand 
dollars  per  annum,  and  necessary  traveling  expenses 
— the  same  to  be  collected  by  him  from  receipts 
from  Su])ordinato  Granges, — the  salary  to  date  from 
December  4th,  1867. 

It  is  explicitly  understood  that  the  Officers  of  the 
^National  Grange  are  not  to  be  held  personally 
responsible  for  the  salary  or  expenses. 

Ero.  Ireland  was  authorized  to  act  as  Secretary 
jpro  iem.  during  the  Secretary's  absence. 

Gen.  Wm.  Duane  Wilson  was  nominated  as  a 
Special  Deputy. 

Seal  of  ISTational  Grange  w^as  accepted. 

Meeting  adjourned  to  Wednesday  evening,  at 
Harvest  Grange,  at  quarter  before  seven  o'clock. 

A  little  incident  of  promptness  happened  at  one 

of  the  meetings  of  our  Subordinate  Grange,  which 

is  worth  noting. 

I  was  manao-ing  the  working  of  several  candi- 
dates,  and  after  they  were  brought  into  the  room, 
remembered  that  Ireland  had  the  only  copy  of  the 
obligation  in  his  coat  pocket.  He  was  presiding  in 
the  Conmiandery  two  squares  distant.  I  sent  a 
messenger  to  him  to  hurry  over  and  obligate  the 
candidates.  Just  as  they  were  brought  to  the 
Altar,  Ireland  came  in  from  the  ante-room.  I 
handed  him  the  gavel,  and  he  "called  up.''     They 


88  Patrons  of  Husbandly. 

were  obligated  as  calm  as  if  he  had  been  present 
the  whole  evening,  and  without  referring  to  the 
manuscript. 

The  time  had  arrived  for  me  to  close  my  work 
with  the  Subordinate  Grange  in  this  city.  I  had 
taken  all  the  degrees  in  regular  form,  to  become 
familiar  with  every  portion  of  the  w^ork,  and  had 
worked  up  a  Grange  with  some  fifty  or  more  mem- 
bers. The  last  night  I  met  with  them  we  had  our 
stage  well  decorated,  and  closed  our  work  with  a 
generous  feast. 

In  making  my  arrangements  to  leave,  it  was 
necessary  for  me  to  give  a  note  for  forty  dollars. 
I  was  required  to  have  it  endorsed.  Ireland,  Grosh, 
Trimble  and  Thompson,  each  honored  me  with  his 
signature  upon  it. 

I  had  received,  as  my  cash  account  shows,  some 
funds  from  the  Subordinate  Grange,  and  I  was  now 
starting  out,  satisfied  and  determined  the  Order 
could  and  should  pay  its  own  expenses. 

On  the  afternoon  of  April  3d,  1868,  at  2  o'clock, 
I  bought  a  ticket  for  Ilarrisburg,  and  then  called 
upon  Saunders  to  bid  him  good-bye.  This  short 
amusing  interview  I  shall  never  forget.  He  was 
seated  at  his  desk,  and  as  I  handed  him  some  blank 
Dispensations  to  sign,  I  said,  in  a  joking  mood: 

"Here  I  am,  ready  to  start." 


Origin  of  the  Order.  Sg 

"Start  for  where?"  he  asked. 

"I  liavc  bouglit  a  ticket  for  Ilarrisburg,  and  stop 
there  the  first  place.  I  propose  to  work  my  way 
to  Minncsota,'organizing  Granges." 

"Have  you  got  any  money?" 

"I  have  about  two  dollars  and  a  half  of  Grange 
funds,  but  intend  to  pay  my  way  as  I  go." 

In  a  pleasant  way,  he  said,  "Well,  you  are  a  fool 
to  start  on  such  a  trip." 

'-Can't  help  that;  fool  or  no  fool,  you  shall  hear 
from  me,  and  I'll  make  the  Order  a  success  or  hurstr 

"We  shook  hands  and  parted.  That  evening  I 
went  to  the  Post  Office  an  hour  before  I  took  the 
train,  in  hopes  to  get  some  good  news.  On  leaving 
the  office,  I  met  Doctor  Trimble  face  to  face.  "\Ve 
had  a  few  words  of  conversation  relative  to  my 
trip,  and  as  we  shook  hands  and  parted,  he  said: 
*'Kelley,  from  my  heart  I  wish  3'ou  success,  and  I 
firmly  believe  you  will  have  it."  From  him,  of  all 
others,  such  words  gave  me  courage;  and  frequently 
after  that,  when  the  clouds  looked  blackest  in  my 
progress,  they  would  come  to  my  mind  and  cheer 
me  on. 

The  following  is  a  copy  from  the  books  of  the 
embryo  I^ational  Grange,  on  the  3d  day  of  April, 
1868: 


po  Patrons  of  Husbandly. 

1868.  RECEIPTS. 

Jciuuary  31— Cash  advanced  at  times  by  O.  H.  K $2S  75 

February  29-Cash  from  W.  Saunders 10  00 

"  29— Cash  from  F.  M.  McDowell 10  UU 

March  1— Cash  at  times  from  Wm.  M.  Ireland lo  u 

"     2S— From  memberships  in  Harvest  Grange 35  0!) 

April  6— Dispensation  for  Harrisburg,  Pa, \h  00 

"      —Cash  of  F.  M.  McDowell 50  oO 

"  17— Dispensation  for  Fredonia,  N,  Y 15  OO 

"  "    Columbus,  Ohio 15  00 

"  "    Chicago,  111 15  oO 

May  4—  "  "    Newton,  Iowa 15  00 

August  *?  "    Cascade  Grange,  Minn 15  00 

September  2—"  "    North  Star  Grange,  "  15  00 

November  2—"  "    Sunbeam  Grange,     "  15  00 

28—  "  "    Plum  Valley  Grange,  Minn 15  00 


CHAPTER   II. 

ORGANIZING     OF    GRANGES. 

%  T  8.45  in  tlie  evening,  I  left  tlie  Depot  in 
^  Washington  for  llarrisburg,  little  dreaming 
of  the  amount  of  hard  labor  that  was  to  accom- 
pany the  task  I  had  undertaken,  or  that  months 
would  become  years  before  success  would  follow. 

The  giving  up  of  all  other  occupations,  and 
devoting  my  entire  attention  to  the  Order,  was  a 
matter  long  and  seriously  considered.  The  success 
of  those  prominent  in  the  history  of  the  present 
century  was  studied,  until  I  was  impressed  with 
the  belief  that  my  labors  should  be  well  rewarded. 
I  gave  but  little  thought  to  the  chances  for  failure ; 
all  my  calculations  were  based  upon  a  triumph. 
My  friends  considered  me  something  of  a  fanatic, 
but  I  was  satisfied  there  was  merit  in  the  plan  of 
organization. 

The  influence  of  the  village  press  was  what  I 
most  desired  to  secure,  and  thus  get  at  work  among 
the  people  in  the  country  towns. 

91 


g2  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

Probably  one  less  fitted  for  such  work  could 
scarcely  be  found.  I  bad  no  oratorical  powers,  and 
only  a  slight  knowledge  of  bow  to  manage.  In 
fact,  I  was  totally  inexperienced,  and  just  sucb  a 
person  as,  at  this  writing,  I  would  reject  for  a 
deputy.  However,  I  felt  tbat  a  strong  force  re- 
mained behind  to  back  me,  and  send  words  of  cheer 
as  I  should  progress.  I  was  starting  out  in  a  new 
business,  in  all  the  details  of  which,  practical  expe- 
rience alone  was  to  be  my  instructor. 

In  the  following  pages  I  shall  not  hesitate  to 
state  even  our  shortcomings,  and  let  all  know  how 
small  the  commencement,  the  obstacles  and  the  final 
success.     It  may  encourage  others  to  persevere. 

I  reached  Ilarrisburg  during  the  night.  After 
breakfast,  on  the  4th  of  April,  I  started  out  and 
found  Mr.  Shellabarger,  whom  I  previously  corre- 
sponded with.  He  introduced  me  to  several  gentle- 
men, with  whom  I  had  pleasant  conversation.  Sun- 
day I  spent  in  my  room.  Monday  I  preferred  to 
work  alone,  and  with  Rev.  James  Calder  and  Dr. 
W.  H.  Egle,  arranged  for  a  meeting  in  the  evening. 
Called  on  "W.  T.  Hildrup,  Superintendent  of  the 
Car  Works.  He  paid  me  five  dollars  towards  a 
Dispensation,  as  did  also  George  H.  Small,  Cashier 
of  the  Bank,  and  D.  "W.  Gross.  This  gave  me  the 
fifteen  dollars  for  Dispensation. 


Organising  of  Granges.  pj 

In  the  evening,  our  meeting  proved  a  failure. 
There  was  a  "skeleton  in  the  closet."  But  I  left 
the  Dispensation,  with  the  three  names,  and  the 
Ritual  with  Mr.  Small.  I  promised  to  call  on  him 
on  my  return,  and  if  he  had  his  Grange  made  up, 
would  thoroughly  instruct  them.  My  experience 
in  that  town  was  of  value.  It  was  my  first  lesson. 
From  Mr.  Ilildrup  I  received  many  valuable  sug- 
gestions,— among  them,  that  of  testing  machines 
by  the  Subordinate  Granges,  and  when  thoroughly 
done  and  approved  by  a  certain  number,  let  them 
report  to  the  K"ational  Grange,  and  a  certificate 
issued  to  the  inventor  or  proprietor.  This  would 
do  away  with  the  buying  of  committees  at  State 
Fairs,  and  prevent  imposing  worthless  machines 
upon  the  farmers. 

Tuesday,  at  3  A.  M.,  April  7th,  I  left  for  Penn 
Tan.  It  was  snowing.  Arrived  at  2.30;  six  inches 
of  snow. 

Wednesday,  April  8th,  took  horse  and  buggy, 
and  drove  to  Wayne,  where  I  had  a  hearty  welcome 
from  Bro.  McDowell.  A  severe  snow  storm  set  in, 
and  kept  me  there  three  days.  While  here,  I  wrote 
to  my  companions  in  Washington:  "It  Avas  our 
salvation  that  Bro.  McDowell  came  to  Washington 
at  the  time  he  did,  and  he  is  worthy  of  all  honor 
for  the  deep  interest  he  has  taken  in  the  Order." 


p^  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

As  I  was  about  leaving,  McDowell  said  to  me: 
"Kelley,  you  liave  taken  upon  yourself  an  enor- 
mous task,  but  do  not  get  discouraged;  every  good 
cause  must  always  have  a  martyr.  You  will  make 
a  good  one  for  this."  He  gave  me  fifty  dollars,  and 
cheering  words.  I  left  him  with  a  happy  heart,  for 
I  was  finding  friends  as  I  progressed. 

I  made  an  attempt  to  establish  a  Grange  at  Penn 
Yan,  but  did  not  succeed.  At  Fredonia  I  arrived 
on  Wednesday  A.  M.,  April  15th,  and  immediately 
called  on  Bro.  Moss.  During  that  day  and  Thurs- 
day, I  made  some  acquaintances,  still  held  in  kind 
remembrance.  Thursday  evening  I  met  with  the 
following-named  persons,  and  organized  a  live 
Grange:  A.  S.  Moss,  II.  Stiles,  W.  II.  Stevens, 
U.  E.  Dodge,  S.  McIvinstry,  A.  P.  Pond,  D.  Fair- 
banks, W.  McKiNSTRY,  Wm.  Eisley,  and  M.  S. 
"Woodford. 

This  was  the  first  regularly  organized  Grange 
where  every  member  paid  his  fee,  and  we  may  give 
Bro.  Moss  credit  for  being  the  father  of  the  first 
genuine  Grange  which  lived,  breathed,  and  had  a 
being. 

At  Fredonia  I  received  a  letter  from  J.  R, 
Thompson,  requesting  me  to  go  to  Columbus, 
Ohio,  and  meet  Joe.  Dwyer,  whom  he  had  con- 
versed with  relative  to  the  Order,  and  would  organ- 
ize a  Grange. 


Organizing  of  Granges.  pj- 

I  tlicu  made  my  iioxt  point  to  find  Bro.  Bartlott, 
at  Spencer,  Ohio,  wliicli  place  I  reached  on  the 
18th.  On  mj  way  I  met  Geo.  E.  Blakslee,  of  the 
Ohio  Farmer.  He  said  if  the  Order  woukl  protect 
the  farmers  from  patent  right  swindlers,  it  would 
be  popular  in  Ohio — $500,000  per  annum  being  a 
rough  estimate  of  loss  in  that  State  from  this  one 
cause. 

Thus  far  I  had  not  met  any  persons  whom  the 
plan  of  our  organization  did  not  please. 

I  w^rote  McDowell  as  follows  from  Spencer, 
April  19th: 

"  Between  ourselves,  it  will  be  an  organization  that  will,  in  a 
few  years'  time,  rule  in  this  country.  I  know  our  associates  in 
the  National  Grange  do  not  see  the  Order  in  the  same  light  as  you 
and  I  do.  They  may  by  and  by.  I  mean  to  give  my  attention 
to  introducing  the  Order  in  every  State,  and  securing  the  aid  of 
the  press  and  pulpit.  My  only  anxiety  is  for  funds  to  make 
things  comfortable  while  I  can  work  up  the  Order." 

My  visit  to  Bartlett   was    an   agreeable  one.     I 

made  him  familiar  with  the  entire  work,  and  left 

him  to  introduce  it  in  that  part  of  the  State.     At 

Columbus,  Ohio,  I  wrote  him : 

A'pril  21  Si;,  1868. 
Brother  Bartlett : 

*****  ^  Have  seen  Dwyer  and  Klipart ; 
the  latter  says  we  must  be  cautious,  and  make  the  officers  of  our 
Granges  entirely  of  farmers,  and  not  outsiders,  else  there  will  be 
jealousy,  which  should  be  guarded  against. 


p6  Patrotis  of  Husba?idry. 

I  called  at  Crosier's  He  -was  not  in.  While  standing  at  the 
desk  ■writing  some  letters,  several  merchants  entered.  They 
were  talking  about  organizing  a  Board  of  Trade.  One  of  them 
remarked,  '•  &?t  up  a  Board  of  Trade,  and  then  let  us  see  one  of 
them  deviate  from  the  prices  agreed  upon."  That  was  a  good 
hint  for  us.  Be  cautious  who  you  have  at  the  head  of  the 
Grange  in  Wellington.  Confine  it  to  farmers  at  the  start,  else 
we  may  have  trouble.  Yours  truly,  O.  H.  K. 

I  wrote  to  McDowell  on  the  same  dav,  as  follows : 

AprU  21gt,  1S68. 

BsoTHKB  McDowzxji : 

******Iam  getting  my  hand  in. 
Wake  up  D'Ascoli's  ghost,  and  get  some  fands.  We  can  then 
sweep  the  country. 

I  leave  here  without  organizing,  owing  to  the  time  it  wiU  re- 
quire to  wait  the  arrival  of  parties  D  wyer  wishes  to  join  with  him. 
He  pays  me  for  the  dispensation,  and  I  leave  the  mat«er  with  him 
to  work  up. 

I  have  a  good  opportunity  to  get  the  sentiment  of  the  fermers. 
In  my  humble  opinion,  this  Order,  with  its  influence.  wiU  inau- 
gurate a  party  that  will  sweep  the  country  of  the  present  race  of 
politicians.  There  is  nothing  else  that  can  restore  peace  and 
quiet  between  Xorth  and  South. 

Every  kind  of  monopoly  is  now  at  work  grinding  the  producer, 
and  I  find  the  people  encourage  our  work,  hoping  to  find  relief. 
You  are  at  tk*  he-jd  of  an  Order  that  wUl,  in  four  years'  time,  be 
the  most  prominent  in  the  land. 

How  wiU  it  work  for  you  to  go  to  New  York,  and  get  some  of 
your  intimate  friends  to  organize  a  Grange  ?  We  want  there 
aome  aoimd  men,  with  whom  Subordinate  Granges  can  transact 
Fraternally  yours,  O.  H.  Kellet. 


Organizing  of  Gra?igcs.  gj 

I  reached  Chicago  April  23d,  and  called  on  II.  D. 
Emery,  of  the  Prairie  Farraer.  I  had  corresponded 
with  him  relative  to  the  Order,  and  he  informed  me 
that  he  had  a  club  ready  to  be  organized  into  a 
Grange.  This  was  decidedlv  encouraging.  In  the 
evening  I  met  the  following-named  persons,  and 
made  them  familiar  with  the  Ritual :  H.  D.  Emery, 
A.  T.  Emery,  "W.  W.  Corbett,  Edgar  Saxders, 
J.  T.  BoxFiELD,  Daniel  Worthingtox,  A.  X.  Hart, 
Dr.  H.  X.  Parrin,  0.   E.   TVhitmax.  and   S.    C. 

HUXTINGTOX. 

In  the  cars  for  Madison,  I  wrote  to  McDowell : 

******!  sliall  reach  Madison  with 
three  dollars  in  my  pocket.  K I  start  a  Grange,  it  Tdll  be  fifteen 
more, — just  enough  to  land  me  at  home,  dead  broke.  Now 
laugh,  for  I  am  laughing,  and  well  we  may.  We  have  a  big 
Order  started,  and  there  is  a  future  in  it.  Succeg»  is  certain. 
Our  aim  is  to  elevate  and  dignify  the  labor  of  cultivating  the  soil, 
and  the  education  of  the  masses, — a  noble  work.  Men  in  Xew 
York  City,  with  thousands  of  dollars  at  their  command,  ought  to 
be  found,  who  would  be  willing  to  donate  liberally  to  the  cause. 
Worthy  Priest,  to  whom  aU  penitents  in  the  Seventh  Degree  must 
open  their  hearts,  try  and  smoke  them  out. 

Tours,  0,  H.  K. 

At  Madison,  TTis.,  I  met  another  party  with 
whom  I  had  corresponded.  From  the  reception  he 
gave  me,  and  the  assurance  that  his  immense  wealth 
and  influence  would  carrv  the  town,  I  did  think 


g8  Patrons  of  Husbandly. 

he  could  swing  the  State  whichever  way  he  went. 
I  felt  sanguine  of  a  grand  jEinale  to  my  trip.  I 
remained  in  town  four  days,  and  was  then  told  I 
had  made  a  mistake  in  endeavoring  to  work  up 
anything  with  so  weak  a  man  to  help. 

It  was  my  first  failure.    I  needed  the  Dispensation 
fee  to  carry  me  to  St.  Paul,  in  lieu  of  which,  I 
called  upon  this  very  wealthy  individual  for  a  loan 
of  fifteen  dollars,  until  I  should   reach  home.     I 
was  a  stranger,  and  felt,  after  our  correspondence 
and  his  assertions,  that  he  would  certainly  accom- 
modate me.     He  refused,  saying  that  "in  his  high 
position,  the  Order  could  not  benefit  him,  and  he 
did  not  desire  to  loan  me  the  amount."     He  told 
me  also,  that  as  I  was  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
order,  he  would   arrange  with  the   Master  of  his 
Lodo-e  to  render  the  assistance.     I  had  the  pleasure 
of  receiving  the  desired  accommodation  from  the 
Worthy  :Master  of  that  Lodge,  who  informed  me 
that  such  contemptible  meanness  was  characteristic 
of  the  individual. 

I  wrote  Bartlett  on  the  27th  from  Madison : 

******  We  have  got  a  good  thing. 
Write  it  up  in  every  paper  you  have  access  to.  Advertise,  Ad- 
vertise, and  we  will  have  all  we  can  attend  to.         O.  H.  K. 

The  following  day  I  wrote  to  McDowell : 


Organizing  of  Granges.  gg 

******!  met  twelve  gentlemen  at  the 
State  House.  Being  early,  my  pomjious  friend  seated  himself 
by  my  side,  and  as  the  different  onus  came  in  he  whispered  to  me, 
"  That  is  the  President  of  our  Bank."  Another  was  "  the  Mayor 
of  our  City,"  etc.  "This  is  the  class  of  people  I  associate 
with."  I  tell  you,  Bro.  McDowell,  those  people  have  my  sym- 
pathy. After  an  introduction,  I  made  them  familiar  with  the 
Ritual ;  and  the  objects  of  the  Order  were  freely  discussed.  I 
gained  some  good  ideas  from  them,  at  any  rate  ;  but  when  I  said 
"money,"  you  would  have  been  amused  to  see  some  of  them 
creep  out  of  the  room. 

They  said  the  Order  would  be  of  great  advantage  in  country 
towns,  but  not  in  cities  like  Madison  (1800  votesj.  That  is  a  joke 
on  Chicago.  No  matter,  it  is  nothing  but  a  shower  ;  it  will  clear 
up  by  the  time  I  reach  Minnesota.  O.  H.  K. 

I  left  Madison  at  midniglit,  and  after  a  day's 
waiting  at  Prairie  du  Chien  for  the  boat,  I  readied 
St.  Paul  May  1st,  1868.  On  arriving  at  my  home, 
I  felt  very  much  as  if  a  rest  would  do  me  good. 
Eleven  months  had  passed  since  I  bade  my  family 
good  bye,  and  the  last  month  had  been  one  of  hard 
labor  and  anxiety. 

On  the  2d  of  May,  I  received  several  letters  from 
Ireland.     In  one  he  writes : 

"*  *  *  *  Mr.  Bean  is  getting  very  anxious  about 
his  money.  He  has  been  up  to  see  Thompson  about  it.  The 
printers  are  also  asking  for  some.  What  to  do  I  don't  know. 
They  all  come  to  me,  as  I  am  Treasurer,  and  they  think  it  hard 
that  I  do  not  give  them  something.     What  am  I  to  do  ?    The 


loo  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

printer  has  just  left.  *  *  *  *  I  think  we  will  all 
have  to  go  to  'rooting.'  The  landlady  is  also  stirring  us  for 
hall  rent." 

In  my  work  of  organizing,  I  had  to  write  out 
the  entire  Key  to  the  Ritual  for  each  Grange.  This 
occupied  thirteen  pages  of  letter  sheet,  and  was 
quite  a  task. 

I  suggested  in  one  of  my  letters  to  Ireland,  that 
it  would  he  economy  to  have  it  printed.  His  reply 
was  as  follows : 

April  29t7i,  1868. 
My  Dear  Kelley  : 

The  National  Grange  had  a  special  meeting  last  evening, 

when  it  was  ordered  that  no  further  action  be  taken  in  the  matter 

of  printing  the  Key.     The  reason  for  this  is,  that  we  owe  now  for 

printing,  etc.,  and  it  is  wrong  to  incur  more  debts  until  those  now 

owing  are  paid. 

The  acting  Secretary  was  also  directed  to  write  to  Bro.  Kelley, 

and  remind  him,  that  at  the  close  of  each  month  he  must  make  a 

detailed  report  of  all  his  operations,  and  all  general  information 

possible. 

I  give  the  foregoing  as  being  the  only  record  of 
a  meeting  of  the  ITational  Grange  that  quarter. 
My  impression  at  the  time  was,  that  Ireland  was 
the  only  one  present,  and  that  when  I  got  ready  to 
do  so,  I  should  get  the  printing  done. 

Among  the  letters  forwarded  from  Washington, 
was  the  following  from  A.  Fail  or: 


ED.    P.    FARRIS. 


A.   FAILOR. 


JOHN    WEIR. 


101 


A.   J.  VAUGHAN. 


Organizing  of  Granges.  loi 

Newton,  Jasper  Co.,  Iowa, 
O.  n.  Kelley  :  April  18^A,  18G8. 

Dear  Sir  : 
Yours  of  March  21st  and  23d  were  duly  received.  I  called 
a  meeting  of  our  most  spirited  and  enterprising  farmers  on  the 
17th.  The  weather  being  bad,  there  were  comparatively  few  in 
attendance.  I  presented  the  objects  of  the  Patrons  of  Husbandry 
to  them.  After  discussing  the  pros  and  cons,  and  particularly 
the  secret  part,  the  following  persons  went  into  an  organization  : 
A.  Failor,  Mrs.  A.  Failor,  J.  D.  Patton,  S.  H.  WRiGnT, 
W.  R.  Mathews,  A.  W.  McDonald,  J.  B.  McFarland,  C. 
H.  Fish,  Mrs.  C.  H.  Fish,  and  A.  J.  Dunham. 
The  following  persons  were  chosen  officers  : 

Master,       .       .       _       .       .        a.  P'ailor. 

Lecturer, J.  D.  Patton. 

Overseer,    -      -       -       .       .       s.  H.  Wright. 

Steward, W.  R.  Mathews. 

Assistant  Steward,    -      -       -       A.  W.  McDonald. 

Treasurer, J.  B.  McFarland. 

Secretary, C.  H.  Fish. 

Gate  Keeper,  -  -  -  -  J.  A.  Dunham. 
I  herewith  send  you  a  draft  calling  for  fifteen  dollars.  You 
will  send  us  a  Charter  or  Dispensation,  and  as  everything  is  new 
to  us,  give  us  all  necessary  instructions.  I  shall  be  ready  to  take 
any  part  you  wish  to  assign  me  in  organizing  Granges  in  this  part 
of  the  State.  How  soon  may  we  expect  to  see  you  here  ?  If 
possible,  give  me  several  weeks'  time,  as  they  are  scattered  over 
the  county.     Send  us  all  necessary  papers,  blanks,  etc. 

Yours  fraternally,  A.  Failor. 

The  draft  was  received  by  tlie  next  mail — he 
having  overlooked  it  when  mailing  his  letter.  This 
was  the  first  application  by  letter,  and  for  The 
First  Grange  in  Iowa. 


102  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

The  draft  was  immediately  endorsed  and  sent  to 
the  Master  of  the  Masonic  Lodge  in  Madison, 
which  closed  the  expenses  of  my  trip,  and  made  a 
clean  page.  The  Dispensation  for  this  "  God-send" 
Grange  was  issued  the  same  day.  May  2d,  1868. 

1  wrote  Ireland  on  the  4th  of  May: 

"  *  *  *  Secure  my  20  per  cent.,  and  use  that.  Con- 
trive some  way,  so  that  none  of  you  will  have  to  pay  out  a  cent 
for  the  Order.  If  any  more  letters  come  for  me,  open  them,  and 
if  they  contain  funds,  use  them.  I  have  faith  in  the  Order ;  it 
must  succeed.  Do  not  cool  down  at  Washington,  for  I  represent 
to  every  one  that  we  have  heavy  guns  there,  and  you  must  speak 
encouragingly.  Much  depends  upon  you  all.  I  will  do  all  a 
human  being  can  do  ;  only  have  faith  ;  stand  by  the  work  boldly. 
We  will  come  out  right. 

My  dear  brother,  you  must  not  swear  when  the  printer  comes 
in.  You  will  never  have  half  the  anxiety  about  the  work  I  had 
during  the  winter,  in  getting  the  Ritual  and  Constitution  ready. 
When  they  come  in  to  "dun,"  ask  them  to  take  a  seat;  Hght 
your  pipe  ;  lean  back  in  a  chair,  and  suggest  to  them  that  some 
plan  be  adopted  to  bring  in  ten  or  twenty  members,  and  thus 
furnish  funds  to  pay  their  bills.  O.  H.  K. 

On  May  3d,  Bro.  Moss  wrote  that  his  Grange 
already  had  three  meetings,  and  though  I  had  left 
them  but  one  Manual,  the  officers  had  copied  their 
parts  and  were  doing  well. 

McDowell  wrote  May  6th: 

Have  read  yours  from  Madison.  I  have  only  time  to  say  one 
word  before  the  mail  closes,  and  that  is,  ' '  Don't  give  up  the 


Organizing  of  Gfangcs,  loj 

ship."     We  arc  battling  in  a  glorious  cause  ;  so  let  the  fight  rage 
on,  and  ever.  F.  M.  McDowell. 

Consoling  to  a  fellow  without  a  round  of  ammu- 
nition.    I  wrote  liim  on  the  6th: 

I  have  had  several  letters  from  our  brothers  in  Washington. 
They  seem  to  depend  more  on  my  labors  than  on  their  own 
exertions.  If  they  expect  you  and  I  to  run  the  machine,  why 
let's  do  it,  and  make  good  use  of  our  opportunity.  I  see  i^lainly, 
that  for  an  adviser,  it  will  be  more  to  my  interest  to  look  to  you 
than  to  them.  *  *  *  *  They  are  there  surrounded 
with  the  peculiar  atmosphere  of  Government,  and  consequently 
cannot  comprehend  the  work  the  Order  can  accomplish,  if 
rightly  managed.  Besides,  ofiicial  position  there  makes  a 
perfect  slave  and  tool  of  a  man.  He  loses  all  ambition  for 
everything  but  an  increase  of  pa}\  I  shall  consult  with  you, 
and  it  is  right  I  siiould,  for,  as  Priest  of  Demeter,  you  are  in 
fact,  the  true  head  of  the  Order.  I  now  have  letters  asking  for 
Granges  in  three  places.  O.  H.  K. 

I  wrote  thus  to  McDowell  on  May  7th : 

I  have  just  received  a  letter  from  Dr.  Trimble,  in  which  he 
gives  me  to  understand  that  the  whole  success  of  the  Order 
depends  upon  my  exertions,  and  I  judge  all  hands  at  Washing- 
ton have  quietly  sat  down,  leaving  all  the  work  for  me  to  do. 
I  thought  I  had  done  pretty  well  during  the  past  month,  but 
they  seem  to  think  I  ought  to  have  raised  money  enough  to  pay 
my  own  expenses,  and  square  up  all  the  accounts  at  Washington. 
It  is  really  laughable.  Here  is  an  Order  we  have  started,  and 
|150  will  clear  every  cent  of  debt;  yet  they  do  not  seem 
inclined  to  make  any  exertion  to  secure  membership  enough  to 
liquidate  the  same.        *        *        *        *        This  is  certain,  the 


10^  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

officers  at  Washington  must  be  active,  and  take  an  interest  in 
the  work,  else  it  will  fall  into  other  hands.  I  wrote  them  regu- 
larly from  every  place  I  stopped,  sent  official  letters, — but  regret 
to  say,  not  an  official  answer  has  been  received.  I  wrote  them 
about  adding  other  features  to  the  Order,  by  which  members 
would  secure  benefits,  but  no  reply.     *     *    *    *        O.  H.  K 

I  received  the  following  from  Ireland : 

May  IZth^  1868. 
My  Dear  Kellet  : 

Yours  of  7th  received.  You  cannot  feel  any  more  disap- 
pointed at  the  want  of  vitality  in  Harvest  Grange,  than  does 
your  humble  servant.  I  have  done  all  I  could  to  urge  them, 
one  and  all,  to  bring  in  members.  I  would  do  so  if  I  were  any 
way  acquainted  with  people  here.  ***** 

Brother  J.  R.  has,  almost  every  time  I  have  met  him,  said 
he  had  several  members  to  propose,  but  when  our  meeting 
night  comes  round,  he  don't  bring  in  the  names.  But  I  am 
like  you.  I  have  faith,  and  am  sure  all  will  come  out  well. 
Every  letter  you  have  sent  has  been  read  and  commented  upon 
by  Trimble  and  Thompson,  and  some  of  them  by  Saunders  — 
although  he  has  less  time  than  others,  and,  as  you  know,  does 
not  care  to  go  into  the  details  of  the  machine.  ***** 
I  do  not  know  another  person  who  would  have  gone  out  as  you 
have  done  to  "r«?tf<y"  or,  if  they  had,  they  would  have  died 
long  since.  Keep  on — keep  a  stiff  upper  lip — let  us  try  to  get 
these  debts  paid.        ***** 

I  replied : 

May  18th,  1868. 

*  *  *  *  *  'Tis  well ;  we  may  be  happy  yet. 
I  have  written  parties  in  Iowa,  who  want  me  to  go  there  and 
organize,  to  provide  funds  for  traveling  expenses,  as  I  do  not 


Organising  of  Granges.  105 

intend  to  depend  upon  Dispensation  fees  alone  ;  besides,  I  want 
the  fees  to  go  to  the  National  Grange,  where  they  belong. 

I  wrote  Dr.  Trimble  a  furious  letter.  I  was  angry  at  the 
time,  and  presume  he  will  give  me  fits  when  I  hear  from  him. 
However,  I  was  provoked  to  think  there  had  been  nothing  done 
in  Harvest  Grange.  *  *  *  *  I  don't  know  as  it 
is  worth  while  to  fret  much.  Everything  will  come  out  all 
right.      A.t  the  same  time,   I  want  to  see  those   debts  paid. 

*****  The  country  is  beautiful  here  at 
this  season,  and  I  am  using  every  moment  to  make  my  private 
matters  move  smoothly  while  I  am  absent.  There  is  to  be  a 
special  meeting  of  the  faithful  members  of  the  National  Grange 
on  this  farm  some  day,  and  if  we  do  not  have  a  good  time,  it 
will  be  our  own  fault. 

*  *  *  *  I  intend  my  letters  as  minute  reports,  but 
will,  of  course,  each  month  give  you  one  condensed  to  file.  *  *  * 
Excuse  brevity,  for  I  have  eleven  more  letters  to  write  to-night. 
I  believe,  with  sixteen  hours  work  daily,  I  shall  find  enough  to 
occupy  my  mind.         *        *        *  0.  H.  K. 

I  wrote  to  McDowell  May  20tli : 

*  *  *  I  have  at  last  heard  from  Washington.  I 
enclose  you  letters  from  Bros.  Trimble  and  Ireland.  They  ease 
my  mind,  and  set  all  to  rights.        *        *        * 

I  have  energy  enough  and  the  will  to  do  the  work,  but  I  do 
not  want  to  beg  my  way  and  get  into  such  a  snap  as  I  did  at 
Madison.  I  will  not  give  up  the  work.  It  is  the  grandest  ever 
set  on  foot,  and  I  am  willing  to  sacrifice  all  the  comforts  of  home 
for  months  at  a  time,  and  work  night  and  day  for  the  cause  ;  but 
I  cannot  go  with  an  empty  purse.         *        *        * 

Once  get  the  State  Granges  fairly  established,  and  then  have  a 
meeting  of  the  National  Grange,  and  we  will  be  all  right.  Have 
faith,  my  dear  friend,  we  shall  win.      *      *      *        O.  H.  K. 


jo6  Patrons  of  Husbandry . 

The  first  person  ever  obligated  and  instructed 
in  the  Kitual  in  Minnesota,  was  my  oldest  daughter, 
Julia  Wilkin  Kelley.  She  also  of&ciated  as  Pomona 
in  the  State  Grange  of  Minnesota,  on  the  first 
evening  the  Fifth  Degree  was  ever  conferred. 

The  following  I  received  from  Bro.  Saunders : 

May  m\  1868. 

I  owe  you  one  thousand  apologies  for  not  answering  sooner. 
*  *  *  Letter  writing  lias  been  out  of  the  question.  I 
think  you  have  done  nobly  on  your  tour.  I  care  not  what 
others  may  say  or  think,  if  anything  to  the  contrary  comes  in 
my  hearing,  I  will  certainly  show  that  the  idea  is  a  great  wrong 
to  you. 

I  have  not  seen  Ireland  for  a  couple  of  weeks,  and  have  not 
had  time  or  inclination  to  hunt  him  up.  Now  I  will  have  a 
little  more  leisure,  and  will  call  on  him.  Let  me  hear  from  you 
occasionally.  I  will  respond,  if  you  let  me  know  where  to  find 
you.  William  Saunders. 

The  same  day  I  received  the  following  from  Dr. 
Trimble : 

*  *  *  It  is  not  pleasant  to  have  the  United  States 
Hotel  man  come  up  to  the  room  here  and  dun  me,— the  first  dun 
I  ever  had  here. 

I  know  nothing,  absolutely  nothing,  about  the  Order  here,  and 
am  not  able  to  take  any  part  in  the  matter j  This  you  are  aware 
of,  for  I  never  hesitated  to  say  so  to  you.  So  you  must  not  hold 
me  accountable  for  inaction  here.  I  have  nothing  whatever  to 
do  with  the  active  or  actual  work  of  the  Order.  Please  bear 
this  in  mind. 

I  give  you  unbounded  credit  for  most  masterly  efforts  in 


Organizing  of  Granges.         ■  lo'j 

trying  to  seduce  mc  into  active  participation,  but,  like  impeach- 
ment, it  fizzled. 

*  *  *  Your  trip  was  a  success,  the  receipts  good, 
and  your  expenditures  economical.  Nothing  in  them  to  find 
fault  with,  but, — "aye,  there's  the  rub,''— the  note  at  the 
United  States  Hotel  isn't  paid,  J.  Tkimble,  Jr. 

To  McDowell: 

June  2%t\  1868. 

I  owe  you  many  apologies  for  my  apparent  neglect,  which 
your  letter  of  the  21st  reminds  me  of.  I  enclose  you  a  letter 
from  Brother  Failor,  of  Iowa.  I  have  found  that  the  farmers, 
in  planting  and  hoeing  time,  are  too  busy  to  attend  to  anything 
else. 

I  have  felt  provoked  at  the  neglect  of  our  brothers  in  Wash- 
ington. Have  not  had  a  line  from  any  of  them  since  sending 
their  last  letters  to  you.  I  sent,  over  a  month  ago,  for  more 
Manuals,  but  they  have  paid  no  attention  to  my  request,  and  I 
do  not  see  how  I  can  well  organize  Granges  without  them  : 
perhaps  they  do.  I  am  through  with  my  private  matters  here, 
and  ready  now  to  give  my  attention  to  the  Order.      *      *      * 

Brother  Moss  wrote  me  that  he  had  written  to  Washington, 
but  could  get  no  reply,  and  asks  if  I  took  the  National  Grange 
with  me  when  I  left.  *  *  * 

I  intend  to  go  to-morrow  to  the  town  of  Sauk  Rapids,  for  the 
purpose  of  setting  a  Grange  in  motion.  I  have  but  seven 
Manuals.  There  are  nine  hundred  copies  in  the  hands  of  the 
printer  at  Washington,  but  suppose  he  will  not  let  us  have  them 
until  his  bill,  or  a  part  of  it,  is  paid.  I  enclose  you  a  few 
letters,  in  which  you  will  see  I  am  not  idle  here. 

We  must  issue  another  address  to  the  flirmers.  The  circular 
is  all  very  well  for  educated  persons,  but  it  will  not  take  much 
with  the  working  classes.    We  must  have  something  to  con- 


io8  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

vince  them  that  by  supporting  the  Order,  they  are  to  be  bene- 
fited in  many  ways, — and  point  out  those  ways. 

I  am  having  a  lot  of  the  circulars  struck  off,  and  intend  to 
have  the  Key  printed.  If  they  do  not  send  the  Manuals,  I  shall 
certainly  have  an  edition  printed  here.  I  do  not  intend  to  be 
bashful  in  this,  and  am  determined,  as  long  as  you  stand  by  me, 
to  push  ahead.  The  laboring  men  of  this  country  must  be 
organized. 

The  Editor  of  the  Sauk  Rapids  Sentinel  is  an  old  chum  of 

mine.     His  paper  is  the  organ  of  the  Order,  and  he  wants  to 

make  it  the  head  paper  of  the  Order  for  the  State. 

O.  H.  K. 

If  the  Editor  ever  reads  this,  he  will  recall  some 

of  our  experiences. 

The  following  official  letter  I  sent  to  Washington 

the  same  date: 

June  2Sth,  1868. 
To  the  Officers  of  the  National  Grange  : 

Worthy  Brothers  : 

In  making  this,  my  Third  Monthly  Report,  I  regret 
to  say  I  have  not  yet  had  any  reply  to  my  letter  and  report  for 
the  month  of  May.  I  have  sent  several  times,  requesting  a  copy 
of  the  By-Laws  of  Harvest  Grange,  which  I  need  very  much  in 
establishing  Granges.  I  also  asked  for  fifty  j\Ianuals.  If  I  can 
be  provided  with  these  necessary  articles,  I  can  organize,  other- 
wise, I  cannot  to  advantage.  *  ***** 
I  have  not  issued  any  Dispensations  for  May  or  June,  but  have 
been  making  arrangements  in  several  localities  to  organize  as 
soon  as  Manuals  and  By-Laws  are  received.  I  also  asked  for  the 
songs  which  Bro.  Grosh  was  selecting  when  I  left  Washington. 
******  The  delay  places  me  in  a  very 
unpleasant  siluatiou,  as  I  promised  to  send  these  things  to  the 


Organizing  of  Granges.  log 

Granges  1  organized,  which  I  am  unable  to  do.  I  beg  of  you, 
for  the  credit  of  the  Order,  and  to  expedite  the  work  of  relieving 
the  National  Grange  from  debt,  that  you  will  give  my  wants 
immediate  attention.  ******** 
If  you  view  my  labors  in  the  right  light,  you  must  see  I  have 
a  heavy  duty  to  perform,  and  certainly  am  not  asking  any  more 
aid  from  you  than  is  compatible  with  your  position  in  the  Order. 
Letters  relative  to  organizing,  are  increasing.  *        *        « 

O.  H.  K. 

July  6th,  J.  R.  Thompson  wrote  : 

*  *  *  *  I  have  copied  the  By-Laws,  and  here- 
with send  them.  Have  called  twice  on  Bro.  Grosh  for  the  songs, 
but  did  not  see  them.  If  I  could  get  them,  I  would  copy  and 
enclose  to  you.  In  regard  to  the  fifty  Manuals  sent  for 
*  *  *  *  unfortunately  for  the  Order,  as  well  as  for 
us,  individually,  with  the  exception,  perhaps,  of  Bro.  Saunders, 
we  are  poor  and  cannot  get  money  enough  ahead  to  take  the 
Manuals  out  of  the  printer's  hands.         ***** 

In  regard  to  encouragement  from  head-quarters,  I  know  that 
our  best  icisJies,  and  any  words  of  counsel,  advice  and  encourage- 
ment that  we  can  utter,  you  have  and  shall  have  heartily  and 
fully,  but  silver  and  gold  (or  greenbacks)  have  we  none,  and 
consequently  cannot  give  unto  thee. 

I  will  endeavor  to  see  Bro.  Saunders  soon,  and  have  the 
National  Grange  called  together.  I  do  not  see  what  action  we 
can  take,  except  to  promptly  reply  to  communications,  which 
should  certainly  be  done.  Write  to  Ireland,  as  Acting  Secretary, 
making  your  suggestions,  and  if  he  does  not  answer  promptly,  I 
will  make  after  him,  and  spur  him  up. 

And  now  a  word  in  regard  to  that  note  of  Bean's.  He  is  after 
us  at  short  intervals,  and  is  importunate  for  his  money.     *    *    * 


no  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

It  vexes,  worries  and  annoys  us,  and  puts  us  out  of  liumor.  I 
hope  you  will  relieve  us  from  the  vexation  and  embarrassment, 
by  sending  the  money  to  pay  the  balance,  which  is  thirty-nine 
dollars.  *        *        *         j  have  not  seen  the  time  since  the 

note  was  endorsed,  that  I  could  properly  appropriate  five  dollars 
toward  it.  We  had  determined  among  ourselves  that  we  would 
take  care  of  it,  if  the  "20  per  cent."  passed  ;  but  there  is  now 
little  or  no  hope  of  it.  If  Ave  do  not  get  the  "20  per  cent.," 
I  shall  not  be  able  to  leave  the  city  this  summer,  as  usual. 

J.  R.  Thompson. 

In  conversation  with  various  persons,  I  found 
our  circular,  did  not  prove  of  any  great  value. 
AYe  needed  "a  more  lucid  and  less  ambiguously 
worded  circular."  "It  is  too  flowery,  and  squints 
of  a  mutual  admiration  societv."  "Give  us  an 
association  that  will  aid  and  protect  the  farmers 
as  a  class."     McDowell  agreed  with  me  in  this. 

I  wrote  him  from  St.  Anthony : 

July  9t7i,  1868. 
Brother  McDowkll  : 

I  have  just  returned  from  Owatonna,  where  I  have  been 

to  attend  a  meeting  of  the  Executive  Committee  of  the  State 

Agricultural  Society.     I  laid  the   matter  of  our  Order  before 

them,  and  it  met  their  hearty  approval.     I  have  been  absent 

from  home  two  weeks,  making  persons  familiar  with  our  plans. 

I  must  go  home  this  afternoon  to  attend  to  my  own  matters.     I 

am  in  a  stew  all  the  time.     Have  to  hire  a  man  to  attend  to  my 

work  in  my  absence,  and  I  cannot  be  long  enough  in  a  place  to 

get  a  Grange  fairly  at  work,  for  all  are  not  ready  when  I  get 

there.     Am  short  of  funds,  and  do  not  see  how  I  can  accomplish 


Ill 


J.    R.    THOMPSON. 


Organizing  of  Granges.  iii 

anything,  with  credit  to  myself  or  the  Order.  We  must  have 
sonic  capital  to  work  with.  At  Washington,  they  are  leaving 
everything  to  you  and  myself, — tliat's  evident.  I  do  not  know 
what  to  do  ;  I  am  almost  discouraged.  I  cannot  work  without 
some  money,  and  all  the  fees  for  dispensations  must  go  to  pay 
our  debts  at  Washington,  before  I  can  take  any  for  my  own  use. 
We  have  a  good  thing  when  it  gets  started,  and  I  am  willing  to 
hang  to  it. 

*  *  *  Do  find  some  one  to  help  us  financially,  or 
else  we  will  have  to  give  up,  and  I  cannot  bear  to  think  of  that, 
after  working  as  hard  as  I  have  for  a  whole  year.        O.  H.  K. 

I  replied  to  Tliompson,  mucli  discouraged.  My 
farm  was  covered  with  an  old  mortgage,  that  kept 
my  spirits  in  a  perpetual  eclipse.  I  was  in  deht, 
and  this  additional  debt  of  the  Order,  though  small, 
served  as  a  night-mare.  Eegarding  Bean's  note,  I 
said: 

"  The  only  consolation  I  have  is,  that  Bean's  calling  upon  you 
keeps  me  fresh  in  your  minds,  and  to  be  cursed  by  an  old  friend 
is  better  than  to  be  forgotten.  I  suggest  that  Granges  use  black 
and  white  Beam  for  ballots.  *  *  *  The  assistance 
I  want  from  the  National  Grange  is,  that  they  take  some  active 
measures  to  establish  icorking  Granges  elsewhere,  and  not  leave 
it  all  for  me  to  do.  I  shall  run  the  Sentinel  for  the  Order,  and 
one  of  you  might  send  a  short  letter  occasionally  for  its  columns. 

O.  H.  K. 

The  balance  of  the  letter  is  about  the  same  as  in 
the  following  Report : 


112  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

Itasca,  Minn,,  July  12th,  18G8. 
To  the  Officers  of  the  National  Orange  : 
Worthy  Brothers  : 

When  I  left  Washington  three  months  ago,  you  all 
said  the  Patrons  were  a  success.  I  felt  encouraged  ;  I  presumed 
the  interest  shown  would  be  kept  up  by  you  all.  There  were  in 
Washington  at  least  some  thirty  or  forty  interested.  As  I  under- 
stand the  matter,  you  have"  not  added  a  member  since  I  left ;  but 
sit  down  to  see  what  I  was  doing,  watching  my  progress,  and 
looking  to  my  labors  alone  to  pay  all  bills  and  keep  the  thing  run- 
ning. I  hope  you  will  duly  consider  this,  and  now  that  I  am  in 
a  very  unpleasant  situation,  trust  you  will  be  lenient.  I  do  not 
expect  any  pecuniary  assistance  from  the  Order,  but  I  certainly 
have  a  right  to  expect  the  National  Grange  will  take  some  active 
interest  in  the  work.  Can  you  not  delegate  some  of  those 
familiar  with  the  work,  who  may  go  into  the  country  this 
summer,  to  organize  where  they  go?  Every  Grange  started 
helps  us  all.  You  see  what  I  am  doing.  I  have  accepted  the 
position  of  associate  editor  of  a  small  paper  here,  with  a  brother 
patron,  and  we  are  determined  to  help  the  work.  I  have  added 
this  extra  work  for  the  good  of  the  cause,  and  have  no 
remuneration  for  it.  You  must  show  some  active  interest  in 
the  work,  for  wherever  I  go  I  speak  of  the  National  Grange. 
You  can  see  that  all  my  efforts  will  avail  nothing,  if,  upon 
inquiry,  they  learn  there  is  no  interest  taken  by  you.  I  tell 
you  now,  as  I  have  told  you  before,  you  have  a  good 
thing — a  big  thing — if  you  will  only  be  active.  Do  try  to  organ- 
ize Granges  everywhere  ;  stir  up  and  add  members  to  Harvest 
Grange,  Every  one  can  add  a  few  members  if  you  but  try, 
"Try  never  was  beat." 

In  the  country  the  farmers  ask,  "What  pecuniary  benefit  are 
we  to  gain  by  supporting  the  organization  ?"    Let  the  National 


Orga7iizing  of  Granges,  iij 

Grange  point  it  out,  let  it  show  that  each  Grange  is  of  itself  a 
Board  of  Trade,  and  by  the  system  of  commimication  between 
Subordinate,  State  and  National,  they  can  market  their  produce 
independent  of  the  Chambers  of  Commerce,  Millers  and  Wool 
Growers'  Associations,  which  are  gotten  up  to  control  the  markets. 
That  is  one  point,  and  there  are  certainly  brains  enough  among 
you  to  point  out  other  advantages. 

Now  is  the  time  to  strike  out  on  principle,  in  addition  to  what 
we  mention  in  our  circular  ;  and  by  fall,  when  the  farmers  begin 
to  have  leisure  to  attend  meetings,  we  may  anticipate  a  large 
membership. 

*  *  *  *  I  have  some  good  men  enlisted  in  the 
Order,  and  we  are  determined  to  put  it  ahead.  I  know  all  will 
come  out  right  in  the  end,  if  the  members  of  the  National 
Grange  will  exert  themselves  in  behalf  of  the  Order. 

Write  it  up.  Delegate  members  of  Harvest  Grange  to  organize 
other  Granges,  and  it  will  not  be  long  before  we  can  ?ee  money 
in  our  treasury.  I  tell  you  again,  you  have  a  good  thing,  and 
though  the  work  may  appear  to  go  slow,  it  is  bound  to  prosper. 
I  laid  our  circular  before  the  Executive  Committee  of  our  State 
Agricultural  Society,  and  they  said  it  was  just  the  organization 
needed  to  unite  the  farmers.  It  was  the  first  they  had  heard  of  it. 
Mr.  Chatfield,  on  the  spur  of  the  moment,  made  quite  a  speech, 
making  this  point  :  "It  will  enable  the  farmers  to  protect  them- 
selves against  monopolies."  They  do  not  look  so  much  to  the 
advancement  of  education,  but  to  protection.  Several  writers 
in  agricultural  papers  have  of  late  called  loudly  for  union  among 
the  farmers,  on  this  very  subject ;  now  is  the  time  to  sound  the 
key-note  of  the  Order.  Sound  it  loud;  let  the  Patrons  be 
an  organization  for  the  protection  of  the  farmer.     It  will  take. 

Bro.  Trimble  can,  from  his  familiarity  with  public  matters, 
plan  a  system  of  work  ;  send  it  to  me,  and  I  will  submit  it  to  the 

8 


11^  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

officers  of  our  State  Society,  and  we  -will  fix  the  matter  right. 
Don't  delay — action  is  now  necessary.  Have  faith  !  faitli  Avill 
remove  mountains.  Assist  me  in  this  way,  and  we  will  soon 
have  funds  enough.  We  must  come  out  bold,  and  by  so  doing 
the  leading  political  papers  will  start  out,  some  for  and  some 
against ;  but  no  matter — it  will  advertise  the  Order.  Let  what 
you  say  be  something  tangible,  that  will  take  with,  the  laboring 
classes,  and  we  are  sure  to  win.  Come  down  among  the  people  ; 
don't  stay  up  among  the  politicians.  Ask  them  this  question  : 
"Why  not  the  producer  establish  the  price  of  his  products  as 
well  as  the  manufacturer?"  Not  to  secure  exorbitant  demanc'.s, 
but  to  get  a  fair  profit  over  the  cost  of  raising  the  crops.  No 
man  can  accumulate  money  who  sells  below  cost.  If  you  hit 
this  point  right,  you  will  sweep  the  West.  You  must  get  into 
the  farmers'  pockets  to  reach  their  hearts,  and  a  lively  palpitation 
there  invigorates  their  minds. 

I  am  not  idle,— it  is  not  my  nature,  you  all  know  ;  but  be 
active  yourselves,  and  thus  help  the  cause.  Mark  my  word, 
there  is  a  revolution  going  on  among  the  people,  and  if  you 
strike  the  right  chord  in  a  new  circular  letter,  you  will  soon  see 
the  Patrons  will  be  a  power,  and  yourselves  at  the  head  of  it. 

Fraternally  yours,        O.  H.  Kelley. 

I  received  this  from  McDowell : 

Wayne,  N.  Y.,  July  2Ut,  1868. 
Dear  Bro.  KEiiLEY : 

I  am  in  receipt  of  yours  from  St.  Anthony,  of  the  9th, 
and  from  Itasca  of  the  10th  and  11th,  with  enclosures  of  Bros. 
Thompson's  and  Clarke's.  I  appreciate  the  difficulty  you  labor 
under,  in  the  matter  of  funds,  and  it  does  seem  almost  impossible 
to  go  on  with  such  a  state  of  things,  i.  e.,  an  empty  Treasury— 
so  empty  that  a  five  cent  stamp  would  need  an  introduction 


Organizing  of  Granges.  11$ 

before  it  would  feel  at  home  in  it.  But  one  thing  certainly  I 
would  not  do,  and  that  is,  send  the  money  you  receive  for  Dis- 
pensations to  Washington  to  pay  debts  with,  at  present.  You 
must  use  all  you  receive  from  the  Order  in  starting  it,  for  the' 
present,  at  least ;  for,  if  you  send  it  to  Washington,  it  leaves 
you  without  the  means  of  pushing  the  work,  which,  in  justice 
to  those  who  pay  for  Dispensations,  must  be  done,  or  their 
money  refunded.  What  should  be  done  in  every  State,  particu- 
larly in  yours,  is,  to  start  a  dozen  or  more  Granges  at  prominent 
points  in  the  State,  and  then  stick  by  them  until  they  are  perfect 
in  the  work  ;  not  only  capable  of  running  alone,  but  of  perfect- 
ing others  in  the  work,  who  may  wish  to  organize  Granges  in 
other  places.  I  do  not  think  the  Order  can  ever  be  permanently 
started  in  any  other  way.  It  must  have  a  permanent  foothold  in 
some  prominent  places  before  it  can  ever  have  a  healthy  growth. 
Flying  visits  are  good  to  awaken  an  interest,  but  they  are  not 
apt  to  perpetuate  it. 

Let  me  know  what  the  Manuals  cost,  and  I  think  I  can 
manage  to  get  you  a  few  of  them,  at  any  rate.  It  would  be 
better  for  them  to  send  Manuals  to  you  by  express,  C.  O.  D., 
and  then  I  can  help  you  to  get  them.  Our  Washington  brothers 
are,  I  presume,  very  busy, — and  besides,  you  were  the  link  that 
united  the  chain,  and  which  could  unite  it  again  if  you  were 
only  there.  They  will  do  but  little  until  you  return  there  again. 
I  will  write  to  Saunders,  and  may  be  to  some  of  the  rest  of 
them.  F.  M.  McDowell. 

I  sent  tlie  following  to  Brother  Ireland : 

Sauk  Rapids,  July  2Qt7i,  1868. 
Dear  Bro.  Ireland  : 

I  have  signed  the  enclosed  receipts,  but  do  not  understand 

the  June  voucher.    Granite  Grange  meets  here  to-night.     I  have 

spent  nearly  every  day  this  month  for  the  Order,  and  though 


Ii6  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

the  farmers  have  all  been  busy  harvesting,  I  have  it  well  adver- 
tised. Have  faith,  my  brother,  we  shall  win.  Stand  by  the 
Patrons ;  don't  flinch.  I  never  want  to  take  hold  of  another 
such  work,  but  as  I  am  in  I  am  bound  to  put  it  through,  if  I  die 
for  it.     Do  write  me  often  ;  I  feel  slighted.  O.  H.  K. 

To  McDowell: 

July  mtn,  1868. 

*  *  *  I  am  getting  a  Grange  under  way  at  Sauk 
Rapids,  and  another  at  Minneapolis, — but  it  goes  slow.  I 
suggest  having  a  primary  degree,  expressly  for  the  little  folks, 
from  six  or  eight  to  sixteen  and  eighteen  j'ears,  so  as  to  enter- 
tain and  instruct  the  children  in  the  rural  districts,  and  get  their 
minds  interested  in  the  study  of  the  beauties  of  nature,  etc.,  and 
to  afford  them  some  rational  recreation.        *        *        * 

The  Manuals  cost,  I  think,  five  to  eight  cents  each.  If  we 
could  send  any  money  to  Saunders,  he  could  get  them  and 
forward  the  same  to  me. 

I  have  no  fears  about  the  Order,  after  we  get  some  men  con- 
nected with  it  who  will  work  for  it.  Some  may  think  me  insane 
to  go  into  a  thing  this  wild  way,  but  you  see  I  have  faith,  and  I 
don't  find  any  who  oppose  it,  that's  the  fun  of  the  thing.  *  *  * 
Before  I  go  into  a  place  hereafter,  they  must  first  form  a  club  of 
at  least  fourteen,  and  be  ready  to  organize.  1  cannot  spend  the 
time  to  hunt  up  members.        *        *        *  O.  H.  K. 

On  tlie  last  day  of  July,  I  wrote  to  McDowell : 

In  your  last  letter  you  say  you  could,  perhaps,  raise  some 
funds,  if  we  had  anything  to  raise  on. 

My  wife  has  a  block  of  twenty  lots  in  a  town  in  this  State, 
which  we  got  two  years  ago,  intending  to  keep  them  as  an 
investment  for  the  children  ;  but  we  must  have  funds  to  set  this 
Order  ahead,  and  it  will  be  a  safe  investment  to  make  use  of 


Organising  of  Granges.  iiy 

them,  for  a  little  while,  at  least.  If  you  can  raise  any  money 
by  mortgaging  these  for  eighteen  months,  you  have  full  power 
to  do  so.  Do  the  best  you  can.  Mrs.  Kelley  will  not  object,  as 
she  is  beginning  to  have  faith  in  our  worli.  O.  II.  K. 

Thus  closed  the  month  of  July,  the  darkest  in 
the  history  of  our  Order. 

If  all  great  enterprises,  to  be  permanent,  must 
necessarily  start  from  small  beginnings,  our  Order 
is  all  right.  Its  foundation  was  laid  on  solid  nothing — 
the  rock  of  poverty — and  there  is  no  harder  material. 
Riches  take  wings  and  fly  away,  but  poverty  is  not 
inclined  to  be  migratory.  There  is  nothing  vision- 
ary about  it.  One  is  not  apt  to  build  air  castles 
and  fairy  scenes  with  this  for  a  background.  Hard 
friction  is  necessary  to  sharpen  diamond  grit. 
Every  man,  to  be  eminently  successful  in  what  he 
undertakes,  and  competent  to  enjoy  prosperity, 
must  be  able  to  stand  hard  usage. 

On  the  first  of  August,  Miss  Hall  returned  from 
Boston,  and  soon  after  joined  hands  with  me  in  the 
work. 

August  1st,  I  made  my  Monthly  Report  for  July^ 

to  the  National  Grange,  and  among  other  matter 

wrote  as  follows: 

I  can  now  report  to  you  the  friendly  aid  of  five  agricultural 
papers,  whose  columns  are  open  to  our  cause,  viz  :  The  Prairie 
Farmer^  Chicago ;  Farmers'  Chronicle,  Columbus,  Ohio ;  Ohio 
Farmery  Cleveland  ;  Rural  World,  St.  Louis ;  Farmers'  Unions 


ii8  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

Minneapolis.  Besides  these,  the  various  daily  and  weekly  papers 
in  this  State  will  publish  any  matter  to  advance  our  interests.  I 
have  not  been  idle  this  month,  though  I  can  report  but  two 
Granges  in  process  of  construction.  And  of  these,  Cascade 
Grange,  at  Minneapolis,  have  paid  me  fifteen  dollars  for  their 
Dispensation,  which  amount  I  have  been  compelled  to  use  to 
defray  my  expenses — that  being  the  sum  total  for  the  month — 
during  which  time  I  have  been  in  motion  away  from  home  about 
twenty-one  days.  You  will  not  charge  me  with  extravagance 
for  July.  As  soon  as  Granite  Grange  gets  fairly  at  work,  it  will 
pay  for  its  dispensation.    I  report  as  follows  : 

Number  1 — Granite  Grange,  Sauk  Rapids,  Minnesota. 
Geo.  W.  Sweet,  Henry  McMahon, 

Geo.  W.  Bennedict,  William  Copp, 

William  Fletcher,  Edwin  S.  Hall, 

Richard  Crone,  Jeremiah  Russell, 

and   Ladies. 
Miss  Mary  Russell  iCeres)  is  the  first  white  child  born  in 
this  town. 

Number  3— Cascade  Grange,  Minneapolis. 
R.  J.  Mendenhall,  Wyman  Elliott, 

Col.  J.  H.  Stevens,  C.  M.  Loring, 

J.  S,  PiLLSBURY. 

With  these  Granges,  and  the  liberal  manner  in  which  the 
Order  is  being  advertised,  I  have  reason  to  expect  excellent  suc- 
cess the  present  month.  I  wish  each  one  of  you  would  send  me 
short  articles  about  the  Order,  that  I  can  have  published  and 
copied  from  one  paper  to  another.  It  will  help  advertise  it.  I 
also  want  you  to  assist  in  getting  up  a  form  of  installation  for 
a  State  Grange.  I  have  already  written  for  an  outline  of  the 
Fifth  Degree,  which  I  hope  to  receive  soon  from  Bro.  Thompson. 


Organidug  of  Granges.  iig 

I  have  so  much  correspondence  and  writing  to  attend  to, 
and  besides,  these  Granges  are  seventy  miles  apart,  and  I 
have  to  spend  two  days  and  nights  at  each  place,  which  leaves 
but  little  time  to  study.  In  fact  I  am  in  a  perfect  ferment  all 
the  time.        *        *        * 

Get  together  as  often  as  possible,  and  write  me  frequently,  so 
I  can  publish  in  our  papers  here  that  "at  a  special  meeting  of 
the  National  Grange,  P.  of  H.,  at  Washington,"  etc.  It  will 
count  in  the  West.  *  *  *  gend  those  songs  with- 
out delay.  O.  H.  K. 

From  A.  S.  Moss,  under  date  of — 

Fredonia,  N.  Y,,  August  1st,  1868. 
Very  Dear  Brother  : 

I  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  several  letters,  with  Manuals, 
also  By-Laws,  for  which  accept  thanks.  Hope  the  songs  will 
come  soon.  Our  Grange  is  holding  over  until  the  first  of  Sep- 
tember, when  we  shall  wake  up.  *  *  *  *  I  do 
sympathize  with  you,  brother,  and  feel  that  you  are  overtaxed, 
and  wish  that  I  could  relieve  or  assist  you  mentally  or  finan- 
cially. But  perhaps  you  are  to  be  the  martyr.  *  *  * 
Ancient  Orders  used  to  look  to  the  East  for  light,  but  "  westward 
Empire  makes  it  way,"  and  as  we  are  looking  that  way  now  for 
our  President,  perhaps  light  for  the  oppressed  "Laborer," 
"Cultivator,"  "Harvester,"  and  "Husbandman,"  may  come 
from  the  West.  I  hope  you  will  make  a  blaze  that  will  shine 
out  on  the  Eastern  horizon,  which  will  equal  the  prairie  on  fire. 
*  *  *  If  I  was  twenty  years  younger,  I  should  like 
to  throw  my  whole  soul  into  it ;  but  the  infirmities  of  age  deter 
me  somewhat.  I  will  do  what  I  can.  My  reverses,  for  two 
years  past,  have  made  me  feel  my  situation.  I  will  say  "go  on," 
if  I  cannot  say,    "come  on,"  with  a  will  and  a  cheer.    You 


120  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

will  live  to  see  its  blessings  on  the  toiling  millions.     Good  cheer 
to  all  good  Patrons.  A.  S.  Moss. 

From  Bartlett: 

Spencek,  Ohio,  August  Ath,  1868. 
Brother  Kellet  : 

I  am  almost  ashamed  to  write  you,  owing  to  my  long  neglect 

to  do  so.     My  only  excuse  is  this  :  having  sold  my  time  to  these 

men  here  for  the  season,  they  are  apparently  determined  they 

will  monopolize  the  whole  of  it,  to  the  exclusion  of  everything 

else.        *        *        *        Let  me  hear  from  you. 

Yours  fraternally,  A.  Bartlett,  Jr. 

I  wrote  to  Ireland : 

Itasca,  Minn.,  August  nth,  1868. 
Dear  Brother  Ireland  : 

I  am  pretty  well  used  up  ;  have  been  on  the  tramp  all  the 

week,         *         *         *         Enclose  you  some  printing  I  have 

had  done,  which  will  be  of  value  to  me  in  organizing  Granges. 

I  am  having  a  thousand  copies  of  the  Constitution  printed,  being 

completely  out. 

You  all  continue  quite  dumb.  I  get  no  replies  to  my  letters  to 
you.  You  will  jump,  by  and  by,  as  if  you  had  sat  down  on  a 
hornet's  nest.  If  I  have  got  to  run  the  Institution  alone,  all 
right.  There  are  men  taking  hold  of  it  here  who  do  not  play 
with  their  work.  With  me  it  is  a  serious  matter.  I  am  leaving 
everything  else,  and  giving  the  Order  my  undivided  attention. 

It  is  "crowding  the  mourners"  to  do  all  the  work,  and  not 
get  an  encouraging  letter  from  any  of  you.  Tuesday  or 
Wednesday  the  Constitution  will  appear  in  full  in  the  daily  and 
weekly  Pioneer — daily  and  weekly  Tribune  (Minneapolis) — and 
in  the  Farmer's  Union.  May  be  I  won't  advertise  the  Order? 
You'll  see.  If  the  rest  of  you  would  take  an  active  interest,  we 
should  have  no  delay.  O.  H.  K. 


Organizing  of  Granges.  121 

On  the  18th,  I  received  a  letter  from  a  party  in 
Phikidelpliia,  who  wrote  me  for  instructions  how  to 
organize  a  Grange.     I  wrote  from 

Sauk  Rapids,  August  18ih,  18G8. 
Brother  Ireland  : 

I  enclose  a  letter,  and  have  answered  the  same,  urging 
him  to  go  ahead,  and  giving  him  your  address.  Have  told  him 
you  would,  no  doubt,  assist  in  perfecting  the  organization.  I 
beg  of  3^ou  take  advantage  of  the  opportunity  ;  get  them  to  form 
a  club  of  fifteen  or  twenty  persons,  and  let  them  remit  the  Dis- 
pensation fee,  and  then  have  them  set  an  evening  when  you  can 
go  on,  meet  with  them,  and  exemplify  the  work.  *  *  * 
If  you  can  get  one  Grange  started  there,  it  will  be  a  nucleus.  Of 
course,  he  goes  into  it  to  find  a  market  for  his  books.  All  right. 
It's  an  ill  wind  that  blows  us  no  good.  O.  H.  K. 

I  received  from  Ireland  the  followins;: 

Washington,  August  21st,  1868. 
Dear  Kelley  : 

I  am  in  receipt  of  several  communications  of  recent  date, 
but  am  too  busy  to  reply  just  now. 

We  are  making  arrangements  to  convene  a  special  meeting  of 
the  National  Grange,  on  general  business.  Resolutions  will  be 
passed,  sustaining  and  encouraging  you,  of  which  you  will 
receive  copies.  Your  Post-Master's  salary  has  been  fixed  at 
twenty  dollars  per  annum.  How's  that  ?  Give  him  the  en- 
closed notice.  W.  M.  Ireland, 

The  contents  of  this  letter  are  decidedly  histor- 
ical. On  my  return  home,  the  salary  of  our  Post- 
Master  was  but   four  dollars  per  annum;    the  in- 


122  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

crease  of  my  correspondence  added  to  his  labor, 
and  those  familiar  with  such  matters  can  compre- 
hend the  labor  I  was  performing  with  my  pen. 
"When  we  left  Itasca  in  1870,  we  had  raised  his 
salary  to  $75. 

An  amusing  feature  in  the  letter  is  the  announce- 
ment, '■'-we  are  making  arrangements  to  convene  a 
special  meeting  of  the  ISTational  Grange."  There 
were  but  jide  men  to  get  together.  If  they  felt 
inclined,  they  could  convene  any  time  at  an  hour's 
notice.  I  was  beginning  to  look  upon  the  ISTational 
Grange  as  a  farce. 

Itasca,  August  2Qih,  1868. 
My  Dear  Brother  McDowell  : 

Tours  of  the  11th  inst.  I  found  awaiting  me  on  my  return 

home.     I  also  received  by  same  mail,  twenty  Manuals  from  Bro. 

Saunders.     The  farmers  are  now  about    through    with    their 

harvest,  and  the  Order  has  been  pretty  well  advertised  here,  so 

that  I  see  bright  prospects  before  me.    Besides,  there  are  numerous 

associations  of  millers,  manufacturers  and  dealers  in  lumber, 

that  are  continually  crowding  the  farmers,  and  they  will  be 

inclined  to  join  it  for  protection. 

Your  letters  encourage  me  very  much,  but  I  regret  to  say  our 
friends  in  Washington  are  negligent  in  their  correspondence  with 
me.  They  pay  little  or  no  attention  to  my  letters.  Bro.  Moss  is 
an  active  correspondent  like  yourself 

I  have  concluded  not  to  mortgage  those  lots.  I  do  not 
feel  it  to  be  my  duty  to  raise  the  funds.  *  *  * 

Until  I  do  hear  from  Washington,  I  shall  not  write  again  nor 
send  any  reports.     I  shall,  however,  report  to  you,  and  if  we 


Organizing  of  Granges.  i2j 

outsiders  arc  compelled  to  run  it,  I  guess  we  have  the  vim  in  us 
to  do  so.  Want  of  funds  is  the  only  detriment,  not  only  in 
doing  the  work  of  the  Order,  but,  being  cramped  in  my  family 
matters,  makes  it  very  embarrassing. 

I  have  had  a  portion  of  the  secret  work  printed  privately,  and 
enclose  a  sheet.  It  saves  me  copying  thirteen  pages  letter  sheet 
for  each  Grange.  Have  also  had  printed  one  thousand  Constitu- 
tions, five  hundred  copies  of  By-Laws  of  Subordinate  Granges, 
and  five  hundred  Circulars.  I  propose  to  continue  the  work, 
and  hope  the  time  is  not  far  distant  when  the  friends  of  the 
Order  in  other  parts  will  at  least  write  articles  for  the  papers, 
advocating  the  Order.  If  it  is  w^ell  advertised  it  will  have  a 
tremendous  run,  as  there  is  merit  in  it.  It  must  be  advertised  as 
vigorously  as  if  it  were  a  patent  medicine  ;  but  I  cannot  do  all 

the  work — other  friends  must  aid.     God  bless  you. 

O.  H.  K. 

Office  of  Pioneer  Printing  Company, 
St.  Paul,  Minn.,  Avgust  31st,  1868, 
Dear  Brother  Ireland  : 

Letter  this  P.  M.,  all  right.  "  Bully  for  the  Patrons."  I 
send  you  a  paper  to-day  in  which  you  will  see  the  Constitution 
published. 

Do  all  you  can  to  advertise  the  Order  in  the  papers.  If  you 
■will  just  help  me  keep  items  in  the  papers  about  it,  j^ou  will  find 
people  who  want  to  join.  I  enclose  you  an  item  that  will 
appear  to-morrow  in  the  Daily  Pioneer.  It  is  bound  to  be  the 
biggest  order  in  creation,  so  you  can  feel  secure  in  taking  hold 
of  It.  O.  H.  K. 

During  the  last  of  August,  I  liad  met  Col.  D.  A. 
Robertson,  of  St.  Paul,  at  various  times,  and  had 
several   conversations   relative   to   the   Order.      By 


12^ 


Patrons  of  Husbandry, 


agreement,  I  met  Mm,  with  some  others,  on  the 
second  day  of  September,  at  2  P,  M.,  and  organ- 
ized, on  the  stage  of  Ingersoll's  Hall,  St.  Paul, 
North  Star  Grange,  '^o.  3. 

The  gentlemen  in  the  following  list  of  charter 
members  were  present :  the  ladies  were  introduced 
at  subsequent  meetings. 


d.  a.  kobertson, 
Miss  Julia  Wood, 
Mrs.  a.  a.  Day, 
Mrs.  Wm.  Paist, 
j.  f.  tostevin", 
Wm.  B.  Quink, 

J.  G.  RlHELDAFFER, 

Mrs.  H.  J.  Brainard, 
J.  G.  Miller, 
Mrs.  C.  a.  Prescott, 
Ira  a.  Eamsey, 
Mrs.  David  Fish, 
Wm.  E.  Brimhall, 
OssiAN  E.  Dodge, 
Mrs  Anna  Hikds, 

Mrs,  R.  F. 


Miss  Bertie  Eobertson, 
Truman  M.  Ssiitii, 
Wm.  Paist, 
Miss  L.  Paist, 
Miss  M.  Tostevin, 
Mrs.  Wm.  B.  Quinn. 
H.  J.  Brainard, 
Miss  Addie  Brainard, 
C.  A.  Prescott 
Miss  Ella  Prescott, 
David  Fish, 
Samuel  Mitchell, 
Mrs.  Wm.  E.  Brisihall, 
Mrs.  O.  E.  Dodge, 
Richard  Combs, 
Combs. 


Col.  Eobertson  presided  at  this  meeting,  and 
required  each  one  to  deposit  the  full  fee  of  mem- 
bership— $5.00.  Prom  this  they  paid  the  fifteen 
dollars  for  Dispensation,  and  started  Avith  a  small 
treasury.     The  Colonel  was  elected  Master,  and  I 


125 


D.    A.     ROBERTSON. 


Organizing  of  Granges.  125 

began  to  feel  as  if  the  agony  was  over.  Granges 
Nos.  1  and  2  having  failed  to  comply  with  in- 
structions, the  North  Star  Grange  was  recorded 
as  No.  1  on  the  Final  llecord.  About  the  first 
move  made  by  the  Colonel  was  the  revision  of 
our  circular,  and  in  this  I  joined  with  much  satis- 
faction. 

Office  op  Pioneer  Pkinting  Company, 
St.  Paul,  Minn.,  September  \Wi,  1868. 
Dear  Brother  Ireland  : 

I  enclose  you  a  circular  which  has  been  issued  with  my 
consent,  by  some  of  the  wide-awake  Patrons  in  this  city.  They 
have  gone  into  the  Order  with  the  determination  of  making  it  a 
success  in  this  State.  The  ball  is  in  motion  here.  Keep  up  your 
courage,  and  send  on  your  resolutions. 
"With  kind  regards  to  my  Brothers, 

Yours  on  the  Sickle,  O.  H.  K. 

National  Grange,  ) 

Washington,  D.  C,  September,  18G8. ) 

In  response  to  numerous  inquiries  in  regard  to  the  organiza- 
tion and  objects  of  our  Order,  this  circular  is  issued.  The  Order 
was  organized,  after  much  labor  and  preparation,  by  a  number 
of  distinguished  Agriculturists,  of  various  States  of  the  Union, 
at  Washington,  in  December,  1867,  and  since  then  has  met  with 
most  encouraging  success,  giving  assurance  that  it  will  soon 
become  one  of  the  most  useful  and  powerful  organizations  in  the 
United  States.  Its  grand  object  is  not  only  general  improve- 
ment in  husbandry,  but  to  increase  the  general  happiness,  wealth 
and  prosperity  of  the  country.  It  is  founded  upon  the  axioms 
that  the  products  of  the  soil  comprise  the  basis  of  all  wealth ; 


126  Patro)is  of  Husbandly. 

that  individual  happiness  depends  upon  general  prosperity,  and 
that  the  wealth  of  a  country  depends  upon  the  general  intelli- 
gence and  mental  culture  of  the  producing  classes.  The  best 
mode  of  securing  a  diffusion  of  knowledge,  with  a  view  to  its 
application  for  the  increase  of  the  products  of  the  soil,  is,  there- 
fore one  of  the  most  important  questions  that  can  be  propounded, 
and  we  hope  to  greatly  facilitate  its  solution  by  the  results  that 
will  follow  the  Avork  of  this  organization. 

All  existing  popular  modes  of  creating  an  interest  in  agricul- 
tural and  kindred  pursuits  have  been  carefully  scanned  and 
studied.  Agricultural  fairs  enlist  attention,  and,  to  a  certain 
extent,  excite  competition,  but  it  is  becoming  a  matter  of  history 
that  these  associations  are  now  gradually  losing  their  influence. 
The  novelty  and  excitement  of  horse-racing,  and  other  means 
still  less  commendable,  are  looked  upon  as  essential  to  their  suc- 
cess, if  not  to  their  very  existence.  Clubs  for  mutual  instruction 
and  friendly  interchange  of  ideas,  seem,  also,  to  lose  their  inter- 
est as  soon  as  the  first  excitement  of  organization  is  passed. 
Even  Fruit  Growers'  Societies,  with  all  their  attractions,  only 
enlist  a  few  enthusiasts,  whose  efforts  are  scarcely  felt  by  the 
great  producing  masses  of  the  country.  The  incentive  to  the 
formation  of  these  societies,  results  from  the  recognition  of  the 
well  known  principle,  that  unity  of  action  is  necessary  to  secure 
success,  but  to  encourage  and  maintain  progressive  success,  this 
unity  must  be  made  solid  and  permanent,  not  trivial  and  spas- 
modic. 

When  we  reflect  upon  the  fact  that  certain  associations  have 
stood  the  test  of  ages,— many  centuries — as,  for  example,  the 
Masonic  Order,  we  may  well  pause  and  ask :  "  lu  what  does  their 
permanency  consist  ?  "  We  can  find  but  one  satisfactory  answer 
to  this  question,  and  that  is  in  their  ritual,  secrecy,  fraternity, 
and  mutual  benefits.     If,  then,  these  are  the  eflicient  elements  of 


Organidng  of  Granges.  12^ 

extension,  permanency  and  success,  why  not  employ  them  for 
the  dissemination  of  useful  knowledge,  and  a  more  general  and 
ellective  organization  of  communities  engaged  in  rural  pursuits? 
and  this  we  propose,  not  only  for  their  benefit,  but  also  for  the 
increase  of  national  wealth  and  power.  If  these  are  available 
accessories  for  the  permanent  organization  of  husbandmen,— all 
other  means  having  failed, — why  not  adopt  them  ?  If  a  secret 
organization  of  Husbandmen,  with  an  appropriate  and  impressive 
ceremony  of  initiati<m,  will  secure  fraternity,  unity,  efficiency, 
discipline  and  permanency, — as  the  projectors  of  this  Order 
believe,— all  intelligent  citizens,  and  especially  those  engaged  in 
rural  pursuits,  will  approve  and  sustain  our  enterprise,  and 
extend  to  the  Patrons  of  Husbandry  their  unqualified  approval 
and  support. 

Women  are  admitted  into  our  Order,  as  well  as  young  persons 
of  both  sexes  over  the  age  of  sixteen  and  eighteen  respectively. 
In  its  proceedings  a  love  for  rural  life  will  be  encouraged,  the 
desire  for  excitement  and  amusement,  so  prevalent  in  youth, 
will  be  gratified,  instead  of  being  repressed  ;  not,  however,  in 
frivolities,  as  useless  for  the  future  as  they  are  for  the  present, 
but  by  directing  attention  to  the  wonder-workings  of  nature, 
and  leading  the  mind  to  enjoy  and  appreciate  that  never-ending 
delight  which  follows  useful  studies,  relating  to  the  animal, 
vegetable,  and  mineral  kingdoms. 

Young  men  are  constantly  being  attracted  to  the  cities  from 
the  country,  leaving  behind  them  the  most  certain  sources  of 
comfortable  competence,  for  precarious  competition  in  channels 
already  overflowing.  There  are  undoubtedly  good  and  sufficient 
reasons  for  this  migratory  tendency:  a  want  of  attractions  for  the 
mind — and  the  absence  of  organization  and  '■'■  esprit  du  corps" 
in  rural  pursuits. 

We  solicit  the  co-operation  of  woman,  because  of  a  conviction 


128  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

that  without  her  aid,  success  will  be  less  certain  and  decided. 
Much  might  be  said  in  this  connection,  but  every  husband  and 
brother  knows  that  where  he  can  be  accompanied  by  his  wife  or 
sister,  no  lessons  will  be  learned  but  those  of  purity  and  truth. 

"With  regard  to  the  modes  of  instruction  adopted  in  the  Order, 
mention  may  be  made  of  the  reading  of  essays  and  of  discus- 
sions, lectures,  formation  of  select  libraries,  circulation  of  maga- 
zines and  other  publications  treating  directly  upon  the  main  sub- 
jects desired,  namely:  those  inculcating  the  principles  governing 
our  operations  in  the  field,  orchard  and  garden. 

The  novelty  of  this  organization,  and  the  manner  it  proposes 
of  introducing  a  system  of  special  education,  has  hitherto  pre- 
vented the  originators  from  calling  public  attention  to  its  work, 
but  the  great  favor  with  which  it  has  been  received,  prompts  to 
a  bolder  action,  satisfied  that  the  noble  purposes  to  which  the 
Order  is  dedicated,  will  command  the  respect  and  serious  atten- 
tion of  all. 

We  ignore  all  political  or  religious  discussions  in  the  Order ; 
we  do  not  solicit  the  patronage  of  any  sect,  association  or  indi- 
vidual, upon  any  grounds  whatever,  except  upon  the  intrinsic 
merits  of  the  Order.  It  needs  no  such  patronage,  and  would  not 
be  what  it  is  if  it  did. 

Its  objects,  as  already  indicated,  are  to  advance  education,  to 
elevate  and  dignify  the  occupation  of  the  farmer,  and  to  protect 
its  members  against  the  numerous  combinations  by  which  their 
interests  are  injuriously  aflfected. 

There  is  no  association  that  secures  so  many  advantages  to  its 
members  as  this. 

The  Order  of  the  Patrons  op  Husbandry  will  accomplish 
a  thorough  and  systematic  organization  among  Farmers  and 
Horticulturists  throughout  the  United  States,  and  will  secure 
among  them  intimate  social  relations  and  acquaintance  with  each 


Organidng  of  Granges.  I2Q 

other,  for  the  advancement  antl  elevation  of  their  pursuits,  with 
an  appreciation  and  protection  of  their  true  interests.  By  such 
means  may  be  accomphshed  tluit  which  exists  througliout  the 
country  in  all  other  avocations,  and  among  all  other  classes — 
combined  co-operative  association  for  individual  improvement 
and  common  benefit. 

In  the  meetings  of  this  Order,  all  but  members  are  excluded, 
and  there  is  in  its  proceedings  a  symbolized  Kitual,  pleiising, 
beautiful  and  appropriate,  which  is  designed  not  only  to  charm 
the  fancy,  but  to  cultivate  and  enlarge  the  mind,  and  purify  the 
heart,  having,  at  the  same  time,  strict  adaptation  to  rural 
pursuits. 

It  is  an  Order  in  which  all  persons  will  find  innocent  recrea- 
tion and  valuable  instruction,  pecuniary  profit  and  mutual  pro- 
tection.    It  is,  in  truth,  a  need  long  felt,  and  now  required. 

The  secrecy  of  the  Ritual,  and  proceedings  of  tlie  Order  have 
been  adopted,  chiefly,  for  the  purpose  of  accomplishing  desired 
efiiciency,  extension  and  unity,  and  to  secure  among  its  members 
in  the  internal  working  of  the  Order— confidence,  harmony  and 
security. 

Among  other  advantages  which  may  be  derived  from  the 
Order,  can  be  mentioned,  systematic  arrangements  for  procuring 
and  disseminating,  in  the  most  expeditious  manner,  information 
relative  to  erops,  demand  and  supply,  prices,  markets,  and  trans- 
portation throughout  the  country,  and  for  the  establishment 
of  depots  for  the  sale  of  special  or  general  products  in  the  cities  ; 
also  for  the  purchase  and  exchange  of  stock,  seeds,  and  desired 
varieties  of  plants  and  trees,  and  for  the  purpose  of  procuring 
help  at  home  or  from  abroad,  and  situations  for  persons  seeking 
employment ;  also  for  ascertaining  and  testing  the  merits  of 
newly  invented  farming  implements,  and  those  not  in  general  use, 
and  for  detecting  and  exposing  those  that  are  unworthy,  and  for 
9 


I  JO  Patrons  of  Husbandly. 

protecting,  by  all  available  means,  the  farming  interests  from 
fraud  and  deception  of  every  kind. 

In  conclusion,  we  desire  that  agricultural  societies  shall  keep 
step  with  the  music  of  the  age,  and  keep  pace  with  improvements 
in  the  reaping  machine  and  steam  engine.  In  this  Order  we 
expect  to  accomplish  these  results.  Every  Grange  is  in  intimate 
relation  with  its  neighboring  Granges,  and  these  with  the  State 
Grange,  and  the  State  Granges  are  in  unity  with  the  National 
Grange.  Valuable  information,  and  benefits  enjoyed  by  one,  are 
communicated  to  all.  The  old  style  of  Farmers'  Clubs,  like  the 
old  sickle  and  flail,  were  very  good  in  their  day.  but  they  are  of 
the  past,  and  are  too  far  behind  all  other  enterprise  in  the 
progress  of  civilization.     Hence  the  necessity  of  this  new  Order. 

O.  H.  Kelley, 
Secretary  of  the  National  Orange. 

It  was  on  tliis  circular  we  based  the  real  founda- 
tion of  the  Order,  and  on  ISTorth  Star  Grange  as  the 
leader  in  a  forlorn  hope.  To  Col.  D.  A.  Robertson 
is  the  credit  due  for  establishing  this  Grange,  which, 
up  to  this  date,  has  never  missed  a  meeting.  Since 
1869,  have  held  two  meetings  regularly  every 
month.  When  we  seek  for  founders  of  this  Order, 
Col.  Eobertson  must  be  counted  in. 

Itasca,  Minn.,  September  21st,  1868. 
Dear  Buother  McDowell  : 

It  seems  a  long  time  since  I  wrote  to  you,  and  much 
longer  since  I  received  a  line.  I  have  been  anticipating  those 
resolutions  from  the  National  Grange,  but  not  a  word  yet  from 
any  of  them.     To-day  I  got  a  dun  from  the  Washington  printer, 


Orgmiizing  of  Gtangcs.  ijt 

but  I  am  getting  used  to  these  things.     I  do  not  know  how  I 
should  behave  if  I  had  no  vexations. 

The  St.  Paul  Patrons  have  gone  into  the  work  big,— rented  a 
hall,  appropriated  $300  for  furniture,  etc.,  and  act  like  human 
beings.  I  enclose  you  a  copy  of  a  new  circular  they  have  issued, 
with  my  permission.  They  intend  to  make  it  an  institution  in 
this  State. 

Do  write  ;  I  want  your  encouraging  letters.  Col.  Robertson 
oflers  to  pay  for  two  hundred  Manuals,  to  be  forwarded  by 
express,  and  I  have  sent  for  them.     Yours  in  haste, 

O.  II.  K. 

From  McDowell: 

Wayne,  N.  Y.,  September  20ih,  18G8. 
My  Dear  Brother  Kelley  : 

Your  fixvor  of  August  26th  came  safely  to  hand,  and 
would  have  been  answered  earlier,  but  I  have  in  some  way 
overlooked  it.  I  will  see  that  such  neglect  does  not  occur  again. 
The  Constitution  presents  a  neat  and  attractive  appearance,  and 
reflects  credit  on  the  Pioneer  Printing  Company. 

I  sent  funds  to  Saunders  for  the  Manuals.  You  say  you 
received  twenty;  you  should  have  received  sixty.  Presume  the 
balance  came  to  hand  all  right.  I  receive,  now  and  then,  a 
paper  from  you,  with  a  kind  word  for  the  Patrons.  *  *  *  * 
I  notice  what  is  said  about  its  being  a  sort  of  protective  union  to 
the  farmers.  The  idea  is  a  good  one,  because  it  is  true,  and  can 
be  realized.  It  will  in  time  be  of  immense  benefit  to  them  in 
more  senses  than  this. 

I  think  you  are  wise  not  to  mortgage  your  lots.  *  *  * 
Be  kind  to  thy  brother — forbear  with  our  Washington  friends, 
for  they  are  good  men  and  true,  though  it  may  be  difficult  for 
you  to  see  it  at  times.     If  the  Order  succeeds,  you  are  the  one 


JJ2  Patrons  of  Husbandr}'. 

who  should  reap  the  reward  of  service  done,  and  I  doubt  not 
they  will  ])e  willing  you  should.  You  may,  as  you  know,  count 
upon  me  then  and  now. 

I  regret  that  my  business  will  not  afford  me  more  leisure  to 
devote  to  the  advancement  of  the  Patrons.  I  told  the  Duke 
when  he  invested  me  with  the  authority  to  introduce  the  Degree 
of  Demeter  in  America,  I  should  have  but  little  time  to  devote 
to  it,  but  he  insisted,  and  so  the  mantle  descended,  and  I  am 
your  brother  in  the  faith,  F.  M.  McD. 


I  wrote  McDowell : 


Itasca,  October  5th,  1868. 


My  Deak  McDowell,  : 

Yours  of  20th  was  received  during  the  excitement  of  our 
State  Fair.  I  have  j  ust  got  home  and  hasten  to  reply.  Have  not 
received  any  more  Manuals,  and  am  determined  to  have  a  new 
edition  printed  at  the  Pioneer  office,  on  my  own  account,  and 
sell  them  to  Patrons  at  a  small  profit.  I  will  not  be  bothered 
any  longer.  I  cannot  get  a  reply  to  a  single  letter  I  send  to  any 
of  them  at  Washington.  All  my  reports  I  intend  to  make  to 
you,  as  the  Priest  of  Demeter.  If  I  sin  in  so  doing,  you  will 
grant  absolution. 

The  gentlemen  here  interested  are  a  class  of  men  who  will 
not  have  any  "tomfoolery."  They  have  gone  into  the  work  in 
good  earnest. 

If  the  Order  succeeds,  .as  it  certainly  must  now,  you  will 
receive  at  my  hands  more  credit  than  you  anticipate.  I  will 
mail  you  a  lot  of  the  new  circulars  soon.  Hundreds  asked  me 
about  the  Order  at  the  Fair.  Granges  will  spring  up  in  all 
directions.  North  Star  Grange  intend  to  have  regalias  next 
week.     That  looks  like  business.  O.  IT.  K. 


Organising  of  Gra7iges.  jjj 

Washington,  D.  C,  October  \8t,  1868. 
Deaii  Siu  : 

You  are  requested  to  Jittend  a  special  meeting  of  the 

National  Grange,  Patrons  of  Husbandry,  on  Saturday  afternoon, 

October  3d,  at  3.30  P.  M",  at  the  office  of  "Wm.  Saunders,  Esq., 

Four-and-a-half  street,    near  Mississippi  avenue.     Business  of 

importance.  Very  respectfully, 

Wm.  M.  Ireland, 

J.  R.  Thompson,  Esq.  Acting  Secretary. 

Washington,  October  5th,  1868. 
My  Dear  Friend  Kelley  : 

I  have  been  absent  in  New  England  for  five  or  six  weeks 
past.  Upon  my  return,  I  found  your  fovor  of  September  15th, 
and  I  immediately  went  down  and  saw  Brothers  Saunders, 
Ireland,  etc.,  and  had  a  meeting  of  the  National  Grange  called, 
(as  you  will  see  by  the  foregoing  notice). 

Brother  Grosh  was  appointed  to  prepare  resolutions  to  be  sent 
you,  which  will  be  done  by  to-morrow  or  next  day.  I  hunted 
up  the  songs,  or  procured  it  to  be  done,  and  I  understand  they 
are  now  in  Brother  Ireland's  hands  to  be  sent  to  you. 

The  National  Grange  will  hereafter  take  an  active  interest  in 
your  work,  and  respond  promptly  to  your  calls.  As  for  me, 
personally,  I  promise  to  answer  all  personal  communications  by 
return  of  mail. 

I  cannot,  or  at  least  have  not,  elaborated  anything  satisfactory 
for  the  Fifth  Degree.  Put  some  one  else  on  it.  Send  me  their 
draft,  and  I  will  make  suggestions.  I  will  write  you  again 
officially  in  a  day  or  two.  I  can  say  of  you,  as  old  Newton  said 
to  the  committee,  in  regard  to  the  expenses  of  his  department : 
"  They  have  exceeded  my  most  sanguine  expectations." 

In  haste,  on  the  sickle,  J.  R.  T. 


/j^  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

From  Saunders: 

Washington,  D.  C,  October  ^QtTi,  18G8. 
Brother  Kelley  : 

You  must  be  worn  out  with  anxiety.  I  have  been,  and 
still  am,  all  the  time  hurried,  between  the  two  places  now  in  my 
charge,  and  the  number  of  men  I  have  employed,  I  have  had 
my  hands  full  all  the  time. 

We  hear  of  your  energy  and  success,  and  feel  that  you  are 
doing  more  than  many  others  could  do  under  the  circumstances. 
The  enclosed  has  been  delayed  on  account  of  Brother  Ireland's 
sickness,  and  other  drawbacks.     Hoping  that  you  are  well, 

I  am  yours  truly,  William  Saunders. 

The  following  is  the  enclosure  referred  to : 

Patrons  op  Husbandry,  ) 

National  Grange,  Washington,  B.  C  \ 

At  a  special  meeting  of  the  National  Grange,  Patrons  of  Hus- 
bandry, held  on  Saturday,  October  3d,  1868,  the  following 
resolutions  were  offered  and  unanimously  adopted  : 

Resolved,  That  our  hearts  are  cheered  by  the  hearty  reception 
given  to  our  beloved  Order  by  the  farmers  and  friends  of  Agri- 
culture in  Minnesota,  and  hj  their  ready  appreciation  of  the 
advantages  which  our  institution  must  yield  to  the  tillers  of  the 
soil  and  the  cultivation  of  its  fruits,  in  co-operating  with  each 
other  all  ovei'  our  land  in  securing  to  them  the  highest  rewards  of 
their  labors,  in  elevating  their  position  in  society,  and  improving 
the  morals,  minds  and  social  position  of  themselves  and  their 
families. 

Resolved,  That  our  thanks  are  due  the  various  editors  in  the 
West  who,  with  wise  foresight,  have  pointed  out  the  merits  of 
our  new  order,  and  commended  it  to  the  attention  of  the  agricul- 
,  tural  public. 


Organizing  of  Granges.  1^5 

RcMhed,  That  wc  rcnewcdly  commend  our  beloved  brother, 
O.  II.  Kelley,  Secretary  of  the  National  Grange,  to  the  kindness 
and  confidence  of  our  friends  everywhere,  as  one  of  the  earliest 
advocates  of  our  Order,  the  most  laborious  worker  in  organizing 
it,  and  framing  and  harmonizing  its  Ritual,  and  now  indefati- 
gable in  extending  its  borders  and  strengthening  its  influence  in 
the  Western  States,  proving  himself  a  workman  in  this  new  and 
important  field  that  needeth  not  to  be  ashamed— the  right  man  in 
the  right  place.  May  his  success  be  commensurate  with  his 
diligence  and  perseverance,  and  the  wide- spreading  beneficence 
of  the  Order  be  his  abundant  joy  and  reward. 

Be.wlved,  That  a  copy   of  these    resolutions,  signed  by  the 

Master  and   Secretary  jyro   tempore,   be   forwarded  to  Brother 

Kelley,  to  be  by  him  communicated  to  others  interested  therein, 

as  he  may  have  opportunity. 

( Extract  from  the  Minutes.) 

William  Saundkrs, 

Master  of  National  Grange,  P.  of  H. 

Attest :  William  M.  Ireland, 

Acting  Secretary. 

I  showed  this  to  Col.  Robertson,  and  lie  said: 
"Bj  publishing  it,  there  would  be  the  appearance 
of  an  Association  in  existence,  but  we  understand- 
all  about  this  I^ational  Grange.  When  we  see  you, 
we  see  all  there  is  of  it;  but,  of  course,  we  know 
the  advantage  of  having  something  behind  to  appa- 
rently give  character  to  your  decisions." 

Durins:  October,  I  consulted  freelv  with  my  old 
friend,  Louis  E.  Fisher,  Editor  of  the  St.  Paul 
Pioneer,  and  am  under  many  obligations  for  advice, 


Ij6  Patrons  of  Hnsbmidry. 

which  proved  of  great  value  in  our  progress.  His 
columns  were  ever  open  to  us,  while  frequent 
favorable  mention,  editorially,  helped  the  cause. 
His  kindness  prompts  me  to  reciprocate  at  this 
time,  by  honorable  mention  of  the  fact. 

From  Wm.  Muir: 

St.  Louis,  October  31s«,  1868. 
O.  II.  Kellet  : 

SiK  : — I  am  in  receipt  of  yours  of  the  19th.  *  *  *  * 
I  have  delivered  quite  a  number  of  addresses,  and  always  intro- 
duce the  "Order."  I  also  enclose  you  a  letter  from  Hannibal. 
There  is  no  doubt  but  I  will  be  able  to  move  the  people  in  this 
State.  I  have  enlisted  some  of  the  best  men,  but  political 
excitement,  and  very  hard  times,  stand  in  the  way. 

Yours  most  truly,  William  Muib. 

To  McDowell: 

Itasca,  November  1st,  1868. 
My  Dear  Fkiend  McDowell  : 

Have  delayed  writing,  being  driven  with  preparing  on  the 

farm  for  winter.     Last  night  brought  the  Resolutions  passed  by 

our  brothers  of  the  National  Grange.     I  must  take  back  some 

that  I  }iave  said  to  you  as  to  their  negligence  ;  at  the  same  time, 

they  are  more  dilatory  than  the  interests  of  the   Order  will 

warrant.     (It  is  a  month  since  they  concocted  the  resolutions.) 

*        *        *        If  we  all  use  printer's  ink  freely,  the  seed  thus 

sown  will  take  root. 

I  want  to  pay  a  compliment  to  a  niece  of  mine,  who  has  taken 

great  interest  in  our  progress,  and  was  the  first  lady  who  saw  the 

outline  of  our  Degrees.     As  Priest  of  Demeter,  I  wish  you  to 

appoint  her  as  Ceres  in  our  Seventh  Degree.     She  is  well  quali- 


Organizing  of  Granges.  ijy 

fied,  every  way  worthy  of  the  position,  and  works  faithfully  for 
the  cause.  The  coniplinicut  will  be  duly  appreciated,  and  a 
pleasant  surprise.  O.  H.  K. 

To  Ireland: 

Itasca,  November  15th,  1868. 
My  Dear  Brother  : 

I  have  just  written  a  few  lines  to  Brother  Saunders,  and 

feel  anxious   to  hear  from  you.     Now  that  the  evenings  are 

getting  long,  I  do  hope  you  will  find  time  to  write  to  me  occa- 

isionally. 

I  want  those  songs.  Do  see  Brother  Thompson  about  them, 
as  I  want  to  have  them  printed  for  the  use  of  the  Granges.  I 
organized  Sunbeam  Grange,  No.  4,  about  five  miles  from  here, 
on  the  2d.  *  *  *  The  Patrons  are  beginning  to 
attract  some  attention,  and  it  will  not  be  long  before  there  will 
be  a  blaze.  If  I  was  as  sanguine  of  heaven  as  I  am  of  our  final 
success,  I  should  be  happy.  Any  items  I  send  you  in  the  papers 
have  them  published,  if  you  can.  Advertise  it  is  all  that  is 
needed. 

Now  do  please,  please  attend  to  the  songs,  and  add  to  my 
happiness.  O.  H.  K. 

From  McDowell: 

Wayne,  November  16ih,  1868. 
My  Dear  Brother  Kelley  : 

Yours  of  the  1st  inst.,  was  a  long  time  in  coming;  but 
was  welcome.  I  rejoice  that  the  National  Grange  has  finally 
awakened.  I  have  received  the  paper  containing  the  resolutions. 
*  *  *  *  You  have  my  thanks  for  the  zeal  you  have 
displayed  in  our  behalf,  and  your  reward  will  be  commensurate 
therewith.  F.  M.  McD. 


ijS  Patrons  of  Husbandly. 

Wayne,  New  York,  November  10,11,  1868. 
Brother  O.  H.  Kelley  : 

Enclosed  I  hand  you  a  letter  to  Sister  Carrie  A.  Hall,  con- 
taining her  appointment  as  Ceres  in  the  Seventh  Degree,  which 
I  am  well  assured  she  is  most  worthy  of.  It  gives  me  pleasure, 
as  the  humble  instrument  of  our  Order,  to  make  the  appointment. 
I  have  conferred  this  honor  upon  her  by  virtue  of  the  authority 
vested  in  me  as  H.  P.  of  D.,  in  recognition  of  her  services  to 
our  Order,  and  as  the  first  woman  who  has  taken  an  active 
interest  in  it.  Yours  very  truly,         F.  M.  McDowell, 

High  Priest  of  Demeter. 

The  following  call  brought  prompt  replies : 

Itasca,  November  22d,  1868. 
To  the  Officers  of  the  National  Orange : 
My  Dear  Brothers  : 

Each  of  you  in  Washington— officers  of  the  National 
Grange— are  most  respectfully  requested  by  Patrons  in  this  State 
to  mail  me  immediately  your  Photographs,  that  we  may  have 
them  copied  on  one  card,  and  the  same  hung  in  each  Subordinate 
Grange.  A  copy  of  the  card  will  be  sent  to  each  of  you  when 
published.  O.  H.  K. 

From  Brother  Saunders : 

Washington,  November  2M,  1868. 
O.  H.  Kelley,  Esq.  : 

What,  with  superintending  the  two  places  (you  would  not 

recognize  our  new  grounds  now,  so  much  have  we  improved 

them),  and  preparing  plans  of  hot-houses,  etc.,  I  really  have  but 

little  time  or  inclination  to  write. 

The  enclosed  letter  you  can  answer  much  better  than  I  can. 

I  have  replied  to  it,  and  informed  the  writer  that  I  have  referred 

it  to  you. 


Oi'ganiziitg  of  Granges.  ijg 

It  is  exceedingly  gratifying  to  hear  and  learn  of  your  success. 
I  do  hope  you  will  be  able  to  get  some  position  that  will  keep 
the  pot  boiling.  *  *  *  l  ^on't  forget  you,  although 
I  do  not  write  much  to  you.  I  feel  that  I  can  help  you  but  little 
anyhow.     Wish  I  could. 

Yours  very  truly,  William  Saunders. 

From  Ireland : 

Dear  Kelley  : 

Yours  of  24th  received.  Will  pass  it  round,  and  hope 
that  the  photographs  will  be  forthcoming  in  due  time.  Mine 
shall  surely  be.  *         *         *        Will  send  the  songs  along 

next  week  ;  they  are  all  in  my  hands.  How  about  the  Annual 
Meeting  of  the  National  Grange?  What  is  to  be  done?  I  will 
try  to  get  those  here  together,  provided  you  will  send  us  some- 
thing to  discuss.        *        *        *  Wm.  M.  Ireland. 


^o 


From  A.  S.  Moss : 

Fkedonia,  N.  Y., 
O.  H.  Kelley,  Esq.:  November  28ih,  1868. 

Dear  Brother  : 

I  doubt  not  you  have  had  some  misgivings  as  to  my 
fidelity,  on  account  of  my  long  silence.  I  received  a  note  from 
you  yesterday,  saying  you  were  still  alive.  Glad  to  hear  it.  I 
did  receive  those  circulars,  etc.,  but  we  still  are  in  want  of  the 
music,  and  the  balance  of  the  degree  work  for  the  ladies.  We 
have  no  Installation  Ceremonies,  Have  any  been  issued?  I 
wish  to  lay  the  state  of  our  Grange  before  you.  It  was  late  in 
the  season,  you  know,  when  we  opened.  With  one  exception 
besides  myself,  not  one  of  our  members  had  ever  worked  in  a 
lodge  room.  The  hurry  of  work  came  upon  us,  and  it  was 
agreed  to  lay  by  till  fall.     Last  evening  was  the  first  meeting 


1^0  Patrons  of  Husba'ddry. 

tliis  fall.  We  had  six  new  members  last  night,  and  some  good 
material.  We  elected  new  officers,  and  shall  go  ahead.  [Geo. 
D.  Hinckley  was  elected  Master.  ] 

I  have  never  had  any  reply  from  Washington.  *  *  * 
Now,  brother,  write  me  a  letter  I  can  read  to  our  Grange.  We 
all  want  to  know  what  has  been  done,  what  the  prospects  are 
if  they  enter  our  Order,  how  much  progress  has  been  made,  and 
if  there  is  any  prospect  that  in  a  reasonable  life-time,  they  will 
see  any  benefits  from  our  Order?  Another  question:  shall  we 
bring  the  women  in  now,  or  wait  till  we  get  in  fair  working 
order?  Give  us  all  the  light  you  can  ;  and  can  you  not  send  us 
a  paper  pattern  of  regalia?  Can  we  get  the  rest  of  our  work 
from  you,  or  anywhere  else  ?        *        *        *        * 

I  am  yours  in  the  faith,  A.  S.  Moss. 

To  McDowell: 

Itasca,  Mixn.,  December  \st,  1868. 
My  Dear  Brother  : 

Yours  of  16th  received.         *        *  We  have  just 

returned  from  Princeton,    where   we  went  at    the  request  of 

twenty-five  good  and  loyal  Patrons,  to  organize  a  Grange,  and 

set    them  in  motion.      I  am   getting   five  Granges  into  good 

working  order,  where  "victims"    can  take  the  degrees  in  due 

form,  and  those  who  have  been  through,  say  they  have  never 

seen  anything  equal  to  it.     I  am  fitting  up  a  large  room  in  our 

house  for  a  meeting  of  two  Granges,  to  take  place  the  last  of 

this  month.    Will  have  everything  complete.    The  Order  is  bound 

to  be  a  popular  institution  ;  do  not  despair.    It  will  be  a  monument 

you  may  feel  proud  of.     I  ask  no  more  laudable  work  than  to 

establish  this  Order.     Before  long,  I  shall  have  some  competent 

men  and  women  to  aid  me  in  organizing  here,  so  I  can  visit 

other  States.     I  am  preparing  some  other  ceremonies,  and  soon 


Organizing  of  Granges.  i^i 

intend  to  publish  a  new  edition  of  the   Manual,  with  all  the 
work,  including  Installation  Ceremonies,  complete. 

We  must  go  to  work  now  forming  some  laws  for  the  guidance 
of  State  and  Subordinate  Granges.  O.  H.  K. 


^o^ 


To  Ireland : 

Itasca,  December  Mh,  1868. 
My  Dear  Old  Friend  : 

It  did  me  good  to  receive  your  letter  yesterday.     I  do 

•wish  you  would  drop  me  a  few  lines  oftcner.     I  tell  you  trul}', 

that  our  Order  is  no  child's  play  ;  the  work  has  gone  slow,  but  it 

ihall  succeed  if  God  is  willing.    There  shall  be  no  lack  of  energy 

on  my  part.     Money  is  the  great  thing  needed,  want  of  it  alone 

has  cramped  us  ;  but  I  am  getting  men  interested  who  will  give 

freely  as  soon  as  they  see  the  work  established  in  this  State.     I 

have  been  and  still  am  hard  pushed  for  funds,  but  the  turning 

point  must  come  soon.    "It's  a  long  lane  that  has  no  turn."    Not 

having  heard  from  you  (relative  to  them)  since  I  sent  the  vouchers, 

I  supposed  Bean's  note  had  been  paid.    I  have  not  a  dollar  in  my 

pocket  now,  but  will  have  soon.     We  have  denied  ourselves  in 

every  way  to  enable  me  to  push  the  Order  ahead.     I  have  issued 

five  dispensations,  four  of  which  I  have  received  pay  for,  but  it 

has  cost  me  double  that  to  set  them  in  motion.     I  do  not  object 

to  that.     I  expect  to  make  arrangements  with  a  gentleman  in 

St.  Paul  next  week  by  which  I   can  command  a  few  dollars, 

and  hope  to  feel  easier,  both  in  purse  and  mind. 

North  Star  Grange,  in  St.  Paul,  is  about  to  take  measures  to 

make  the  Order  a  popular  institution  there,  and  I  shall  work 

with  them.         *        *        *        Wish  I  could  get  to  Washington 

this  month  and  meet  with  our  associates,  but  I  must  get  the  State 

Grange  organized  here  first.     Of  course  you  will  meet  on  the 

first  Wednesday  after  the  first  Monday.     I  wrote  to  Brother 

Saunders  to  do  so,  and  adjourn  until  I  send  you  a  pile  of  work 


1:^2  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

to  examine,  wliicli  ■will  be  about  the  first  of  January.  I  am  glad 
to  learn  the  songs  are  in  your  hands.  Now  do  send  them  with- 
out further  delay,  for  they  are  waiting  for  them  in  the  Granges 
here  ;  besides  I  want  to  get  out  a  new  edition  of  the  Manual  and 
have  them  all  in  it,  with  the  ceremonies  I  sent  to  Bro.  Thompson. 

If  you  want  some  of  these  letter  sheets  to  write  on,  I  will  mail 
you  some.  I  never  saw  such  tight  times  as  they  have  been  with 
me  for  the  past  eight  months.  Several  times  have  postponed 
answering  letters  for  want  of  postage  stamps.  But  I  declare  I 
wont  get  discouraged.     Pluck  and  perseverance  must  win. 

I  am  shy  about  making  a  report,  with  the  intention  of  having 
it  printed.  It  will  be  best  to  make  you  at  Washington  familiar 
with  what  I  am  doing,  and  leave  the  public  report  for  next  year, 
when  there  will  be  something  to  say. 

I  regret  that  we  have  not  some  one  at  work  in  the  Eastern 
States,  but  see  that  I  must  lead  the  way.  I  am  adopting  a 
plan  by  which  I  can  put  all  the  charter  members  of  a  Grange 
through  the  whole  work  the  first  night  I  meet  with  them. 
This  will  save  a  good  deal  of  labor  to  me,  and  set  them  immedi- 
ately at  work. 

Do  write  often  and  don't  fail  to  send  those  songs  immediately. 

0.  H.  K. 

To  McDowell: 

Itasca,  Becemhev  \^th,  1868. 
My  Dear  Brother  : 

*        *        *        It  is  only  a  question  of  time  when  the 

Order  will  have  as  strong  a  hold  in  every  State  of  our  Union,  as 

it  is  getting  in  Minnesota.     I  trust  by  the  first  of  January  a  State 

Grange  will  be  organized  here,  and  there  is  great  anxiety  on  the 

part  of  some  good  men  to  be  members  of  that,  and  when  good 

material  shows  itself,  I  propose  to  put  them  into  it  as  "Lecturers" 

and  "Deputies,"  so  that  with  IMasters  and  Past  Masters  we  shall 


Organizing  of  Granges.  i^j 

have  a  good  body  of  men  in  that  branch  of  our  Order.  Among 
people  the  question  is  aslced,  "  what  benefits  are  \vc  to  derive?" 
I  tell  them  that  in  every  Grange  there  is  to  be  kept  a  Blue  Book 
and  a  Red  Book.  In  the  former  all  swindling  concerns  they  come 
incontact  with  are  to  be  recorded,  by  vote  of  the  Grunge,  and  in- 
formation transmitted  to  other  Granges,  by  which  we  become  a 
secret  detective  and  protective  organization.  In  the  Red  Book 
we  record  reliable  establishments,  and  any  one  receiving  a  letter 
of  introduction  by  vote  of  a  Orange,  stating  he  is  "duly  recorded 
in  the  Red  Book,"  is  sure  of  a  cordial  reception.  I  also  advocate 
a  Business  Agent  in  each  Grange,  to  be  elected  by  ballot,  who 
shall  keep  a  record  of  real  estate,  produce,  stock,  etc.,  that 
members  have  for  sale,  and  also  a  record  of  such  articles  as  out- 
siders wish  to  purchase,  thereby  saving  our  members  valuable 
time  now  consumed  in  hunting  up  customers  for  their  produce. 
"We  can  secure  discount  to  Granges  on  purchases  of  Books, 
Implements,  &c.,  offered  by  publishers  and  manufacturers,  and 
by  systematic  organization  secure  a  reduction  in  rate  of  nearly 
everything  purchased.  I  am  anxious  for  you  to  point  out  all 
other  advantages  aside  from  those  referred  to  in  our  last  circular. 
*  *  *  It  was  a  good  move  in  bringing  women  into  our 
ranks.  I  find  they  are  much  pleased  with  it.  I  require  them 
all  to  wear  wreaths  of  real  or  artificial  flowers,  as  well  as  tjeir 
white  aprons,  as  part  of  their  Regalia.  They  like  that,  you 
know,  and  in  the  Third  and  Fourth  Degrees,  wish  them  to  wear 
fancy  Balmorals,  and  dress  as  Shepherdesses,  Gleaners,  Maids, 
and  Matrons.  In  fact,  in  those  degrees  they  are  to  make  it  a 
fancy  dress  party,  and  those  are  to  be  worked  only  once  a 
month.         *        *        * 

I  am  working  uji  material  for  the  Ceremonies  in  the  Degrees 
for  the  ladies,  for  they  declare  they  will  have  as  much  ceremony 
as  we  give  the  men.     I  am  also  at  Avork  on  the  Fifth  Deprce, 


14-4-  Patrons  of  Husbandry . 

and  have  submitted  my  manuscript  to  Brother  Thompson  at 
Washington,  but  I  have  to  wait  so  long  for  any  movement 
there,  I  am  getting  out  of  patience.  They  do  not  comprehend 
how  much  their  lack  of  interest  checks  my  progress.  I  beg  you 
to  write  to  Brother  Thompson,  and  tell  him  to  hurry  up.  *  * 
*  *  We  must  keep  up  the  interest,  and  not  let  it  flag,  if 
we  want  success.  I  hope  the  time  is  not  far  distant  when  I  can 
do  even  more  than  now  for  the  good  of  the  cause. 

It  will  encourage  Brother  Moss  if  you  drop  him  a  few  lines. 
He  feels  a  deep  interest  in  the  work,  and,  judging  by  the  letter 
from  the  Secretary  of  Fredonia  Grange,  they  have  got  good 
material  now  to  work  with.  *         *        *         New  York 

ought  to  take  the  lead  in  this  work,  and  not  be  outdone  by  the 
backwoodsmen  of  Minnesota.  *  *  *  j'ye  finished 
the  letter,  but  darned  a  red  have  I  got  to  pay  postage.  It 
would  not  do  to  let  Patrons  here  know  of  our  poverty,  so  I  keep 
a  stiff  upper  lip.  O.  H.  K. 

To  Ireland  ; 

Itasca,  December  lltTi,  1868. 
My  Dear  Ireland  : 

I  enclose  you  a  sample  of  letters,*  now  coming  in  by 


*The  following  are  samples  of  letters  we  were  receiving 
during  December,  1868,  which  cheered  us  on  : 

Maple  Plain,  Minn.,  December  9lh,  1868. 

Col.  J.  H.  Stevens,  Editor  Farmer's  Union: 

Dear  Sir: 

The  farmers  of  this  vicinity  want  to  form  a  lodge  of  the 

Patrons  of  Husbandry,  and  I  don't  know  who  to  write  to,  and  have 

talien  the  liberty  to  address  you.     We  want  to  organize  as  soon  as 

possible.    Let  us  know  what  the  fee  is,  and  what  a  lodge  will  cost  us. 

Your  obedient  servant, 
_,   -        ,       ^    ,^    ,^  C.  T.  Atwater. 

Referred  to  O.  II.  K. 


Organizing  of  Grmigcs.  7^5 

every  mail.  Please  show  them  to  Brother  Saunders  and  the 
rest,  and  then  mail  to  Brother  McDowell.  I  want  j'ou  all  to  see 
that  those  duck  eggs  are  hatching.  Do  something  inmiediately 
on  that  Fifth  Degree.  *  *  *  I  shall  probably  see  you  all  once 
more  before  "the  enlivening  influence  of  spring  extends  to  all 
creation,"  for  we  have  real  bonafide  work  to  do.  Another  week 
has  gone,  and  no  songs  received.  For  goodness  sake,  send  them. 
*  *  *  I  set  it  down  that  the  wives  and  sisters  of 
IVIasters  and  Past  Masters  of  Subordinate  Granges  are  entitled 
to  membership  in  the  State  Grange,  and  by  election  entitled  to 
the  Fifth  Degree,  but  until  they  receive  that  degree,  have  a 
voice  but  no  vote.  Fee  of  membership  to  the  Fifth  Degree, 
not  to  exceed  ten  dollars  for  the  females,  and  twenty  dollars  for 
the  males. 

It  will  not  be  anything  against  your  Secretary  to  have  the 
first  State  Grange  in  his  own  State.  O.  H.  K. 


Minneapolis,  December  16th,  18CS. 
Dear  Brother  Kelley  : 

Eunis  N.  McGlary,  of  Independence,  called  upon  me  this  morn- 
ing In  relation  to  the  formation  of  a  Grange.  Write  him,  and  send 
him  all  the  papers.  «  *  *  *  Also  write  and  send  papers 
containing  Information,  to  Wm.  Sleight,  Rockford,  Wright  Co., 
who  also  called  in  regard  to  an  organization  in  that  town. 

Your  friend,  J.  H.  Stevens. 

Princeton,  December  25lh,  15G8. 
Brother  Kelley: 

*       *       *       *       I  hope  you  will  hurry  up,  so  that  we  can  get  the 

State  Grange  organized  as  soon  as  possible.    It  will  have  much  to  do 

in  getting  the  machinery  In  motion  for  the  Subordinate  Granges. 

*       *       *       *       I  have  just  fixed  up  the  hall,  and  put  in  a  stove  at 

$2G  expense,  to  set  the  example  for  them,  and  have  not  asked  any 

help  yet.  Yours,  in  full  faith,  and  fraternally, 

C.  H.  Chadbourn. 

10 


14^  Patrons  of  Hnsbandiy. 

From  Brother  Moss,  in  reply  to  mine  on  a  slieet 
twenty-two  inciies  by  seventeen : 

Fbedo>-ia,  X.  T.,  December  18iA,  1868. 

"WOETHT  BbOTHEB  : 

Tou  have  done  it.  Tour  Tery  welcome  letter  is  at  hand, 
bnt  I  shall  have  to  call  a  special  session  to  give  me  time  to  read 
it  at  one  meeting.  But  don't  be  alanned  ;  it  is  all  right.  It  has 
done  us  much  good.  Ther  say  a  man  must  have  a  big  heart 
■who  can  write  such  a  letter.  Tou  will  not  be  among  strangers 
if  you  ever  come  this  way.  *  *  *  ^e  had  a  good 
time  Wednesday  evening.  Twenty-  jne  ladies  presented  them- 
selves, and  received  the  degree  of  Maid.  TVe  had  twenty -four 
brothers  present,  and  it  jassed  off  very  well.  If  we  do  not  get 
as  good  a  Grange  as  the  rest  of  them,  it  wUl  be  because  we 
don't  know  how  to  do  it,  for  we  certainly  have  good  material. 
*  *  *  *  We  also  want  rules  whereby  the  Worthy 
Master  can  keep  good  order.  His  authority  ought  to  be  strong, 
but  subject  to  appeal,  of  course,  to  higher  power.  After  working 
awhile  in  different  Granges,  we  can  see  what  we  want.  Let  us 
make  our  Order  the  ne  plus  ultra.  We  can  do  so  if  we  have  a 
mind  to.  3Iake  everything  brief,  impressive,  and  dignified. 
While  other  Orders  are  the  symbols,  we  have  the  real.  A  good 
brother  said  to  me  the  other  day  (he  is  one  of  the  brightest  of 
Masonsj,    "Our  Order  will  send  the  ' Eastern  Star '  a  Jciting!" 

A.  S.  Moss. 

From  Brotlier  Saunders : 

WASHiyGTOK,  Becemher  %tTi,  1868. 
O.  H.  Kellet,  Esq. : 

D£AB  Sip.: 

I  am  always  glad  to  hear  from  you,  although  I  am 

too  much  engaged  to  attend  to  an;  hing  outside  of  my  duties 


Organizing  of  Granges.  j^y 

here.  It  takes  all  my  time  during  the  day  to  attend  and  person- 
ally superintend  all  my  in-door  and  out-door  matters,  and  ■when 
I  say  that  the  preparation  of  lists  for  the  new  Arboretum  has 
already  reached  to  one  hundred  and  seventy-five  manuscript 
pages  of  writing,  you  may  surmise  that  my  evenings  are  not  idly 
spent.  Besides,  I  am  furnishing  a  monthly  article  to  an  archi- 
tectural paper,  on  Landscape  Gardening,  that  may  probably  at 
some  time  form  a  treatise  on  that  subject.  This  also  takes  time 
to  prepare.  I  am  not  idle,  by  any  means,  and  my  thoughts  are 
always  upon  these  matters  ;  without  they  were,  I  could  not  get 
along  at  all.  All  this  by  way  of  explaining  my  seeming  neglect 
to  your  more  immediate  affairs. 

We  have  adjourned  the  yearly  meetin'j;  for  a  time. 

I  have  not  sent  anything  to  your  children.  The  weather  is 
really  too  cold  now.  »  *  -x-  j  enclose  a  note  just 
received.  I  have  sent  her  a  copy  of  Manual  and  Circular,  &c. 
You  can  write  if  you  think  best.  I  enclose  you  a  photograph. 
You  may  recollect  that  I  have  not  got  a  copy  of  yours. 

Yours  truly,  William  Saunders. 

From  Brotlier  Ireland : 

WAsniNGTON,  D.  C,  December  10th,  1868. 
Dear  Kelley  : 

Herewith  I  enclose  you  one  copy  of  each  of  the  songs  I 

received  from  the  Committee.     They  were  selected  by  Brother 

Grosh,  I  believe.     As  to  their  fitness,  and  the  place  they  should 

occupy  in  the  Ritual,  you  will  have  to  be  judge.     It  occurs  to 

me  that  some  of  them  would  sound  very  well.     I  will  retain  the 

other  copies  for  future  use.     When  you  make  the  final  selection 

and  arrangement,  and  get  a  new  edition  of  the  Manual  printed, 

send  me  a  few  copies  for  distribution  to  our  fraters.     Always  glad 

to  hear  from  you.  Hastily  yours,  W.  M.  Ireland. 


1^8  Patrons  of  Husbandly. 

Upon  examination  of  the  seven  songs  received, 
as  above  mentioned,  we  found  ourselves  as  bad  off 
as  before,  and  Miss  Hall  commenced  in  right  good 
earnest,  to  get  up  something  suitable.  One  of  our 
brothers  in  St.  Paul  (Brother  A.  B.  Curry)  com- 
posed two,  and  had  the  same  printed  on  a  card 
for  ISTorth  Star  Grange.  She  added  others,  from 
time  to  time,  until  the  first  song  book  was  issued. 

Itasca,  December  24iA,  1868. 
To  the  National  Orange,  P.  of  H. : 

WoKTHY  Master,  and  Worthy  Acting  Secretary, 
Washington,  D.  C. : 

It  is  with  feelings  of  deep  obligations  to  our  worthy 
Brother,  Col.  D.  A.  Robertson,  Past  Master  of  North  Star  Grange, 
St.  Paul,  that  I  ask  you  to  confer  upon  him  the  appointment  of 
Lecturer  or  Special  Deputy,  entitling  him  to  a  seat  and  vote  in 
the  National  Grange.  He  has  been  active  and  foremost  in  intro- 
ducing the  Order,  and  will  in  a  few  days  issue  a  new  Magazine 
to  be  devoted  to  the  interests  of  our  Order.  It  Avill  be  the  organ 
in  our  State.  He  is  widely  known  as  a  prominent  Horticulturist. 
He  is  enthusiastic  in  our  cause — a  scholar  and  a  gentleman.  I 
trust  you  will  make  no  delay  in  complying  with  this  request,  but 
send  him  the  appointment  duly  signed  and  sealed.  *  *  * 
Now  here  is  one  idea,  to  have  some  competent  person  get  up  a 
lecture  upon  the  "Insect  World."  Let  him  have  it  highly  illus- 
trated by  a  splendid  panorama  ;  represent  the  bugs  as  magnified, 
the  leaves  they  live  upon,  etc.,  or  any  other  subject  of  Natural 
History.  Give  him  as  a  Lecturer  a  stated  salary,  and  oblige  liim 
to  visit  every  Grange  in  a  State.  Tiie  Grange  advertises  his 
coming,  and  makes  anangements.     Sell  tickets  nt  tea  cents  each. 


Organizing  of  Granges.  14^ 

*  *  *  These  illustrated  lectures  will  be  instructive  and 
popular,  and  the  low  price  of  admission  will  bring  in  everybody. 
They  will  be  "Lecturea  for  the  people,"  or  "Lectures  for  the 
million,"  and  help  educate  the  masses. 

I  sent  to  Brother  Thompson,  two  months  ago,  to  see  Cunning- 
ham, the  printer,  and  have  him  send  two  hundred  copies  of  the 
Manual,  C.  O.  D.,  provided  he  would  put  them  in  at  seven 
cents  apiece.  I  hear  nothing  from  them,  and  am  out  of  Manuals, 
with  five  applications  for  Granges  on  hand.    I  am  stuck,  you  see. 

Yours  in  haste,  O.  H.  K. 

From  Brother  Bartlett : 

North  Madison,  Ohio,  December  24:th,  1868. 

Dear  Brother  Kelley  : 

Enclosed  please  find  short  lecture,  as  you  requested,  on 

Tools  of  Fifth  Degree.     I  wish  they  were  better,  but  such  as 

they  are  you  are  quite  welcome  to.         *        *        *        I  think  I 

shall  organize  a  Grange  soon,  and  am  trying  to  post  myself  in 

the  degree  work.  Fraternally, 

A.  Bartlett. 

From  Brother  McDowell : 

IIornellsville,  N.  Y.,  December  2St7i,  1868. 
My  Dear  Kelley  : 

*  *  *  I  am  delighted  with  the  progress  j/ou  are 
making  in  the  glorious  work,  and  have  only  words  of  praise  for 
you  ;  to  be  sure  they  will  not  aid  you  in  your  work,  but  kind 
words  gladden  the  heart,  and  it  needs  gladdening  often  to  aid  it 
in  successfully  overcoming  the  numerous  obstacles  which  must 
beset  your  path  at  every  turn.  I  received  a  ver}-^  nice  note  from 
Miss  Carrie  Hall,  thanking  me  for  the  honor  conferred  upon  her, 
&c.,  for  which  I  remain  obliged.     If  one  can  judge  from  a  letter, 


7JO  Patrons  of  Husbandly. 

I  should  say  you  have  a  valuable  assistant,  and  the  Order  a  most 
valuable  Ceres  in  Miss  Carrie.         *        *        * 

The  Blue  Book  and  the  Red  Book  idea  is  a  good  one  ;  also  the 
Business  Agent  for  each  Grange.  All  this  machinery  cannot  be 
put  in  motion  till  we  are  more  advanced  in  organizing,  and  when 
we  are  thus  advanced,  the  National  Grange  must  have  a  pro- 
tracted sitting  to  enable  it  to  comply  with  the  demands  and 
necessities  of  the  Subordinate  Granges.        *        *        * 

F.  M.  McDowell. 

Closing  of 'the  Year  1868. 

I  cannot  do  better  than  add  one  more  letter, 
whicla  had  been  misdirected,  and  did  not  reach  me 
until  December  31st : 

Washington,  D.  C,  December  2d,  1868. 

Sir: 

We  beg  to  call  your  atfention  to  the  fact  that  our  bill  for 

printing  Rituals,  «&c.,  has  never  been  paid.  We  are  in  urgent 
need  of  the  money,  and  cannot  longer  do  without  it.  The  in- 
debtedness having  been  contracted  by  you,  we  of  course  hold  you 
personally  responsible,  and  must  draw  on  you  next  week  for  the 
amount.     Please  protect  the  draft. 

Very  truly,  «fec.,        Cunningham  &  McIntosh. 
O.  H.  Kelley,  Esq.,  Itasca,  Minn. 

I  do  not  believe  I  felt  as  merry  over  the  letter 
then  as  I  do  now  in  copying  it.  The  draft  never 
reached  me,  and  it  was.  fortunate,  for  had  such  a 
ghost  put  in  an  appearance  at  that  time,  it  would 
have  blown  the  National  Grange  into  atoms,  and 


Organizing  of  Gtangcs.  i^i 

created  a  new  Xational  body  in  Minnesota.  I  could 
not  liavc  paid  it  during  December,  and  liad  it  gone 
to  protest,  our  poverty  would  have  been  exposed. 

Miss  Hall  and  myself  took  particular  notice  of 
the  lines:  '-'■  The  indzhledncss  having  been  contracted 
by  you,  ive  of  course  hold  you  personally  responsible." 
This  fixed  in  our  minds  the  fact,  that  whatever  we 
should  do,  and  whatever  debts  we  might  contract 
for  the  N'ational  Grange,  until  it  should  be  perma- 
nently organized  according  to  the  Constitution,  we 
should  be  wholly  responsible.  We  decided  to  act 
accordingly,  as  if  it  were  our  own  exclusive  business. 

The  eventful  year  closed,  and  the  last  scene  in 
my  imagination  was  the  tableau  of  one  struggling 
almost  against  hope,  while  a  kind  friend,  like  a 
fairy,  was  pointing  with  her  finger  at  these  words, 
charmingly  radiant  with  sunset  hues  on  fleecy 
clouds:  "The  diligent  man  shall  prosper;  he  shall 
stand  before  kings;  lie  shall  not  stand  before  mean 


men." 


CHAPTER  III. 
ENCOURAGING    PROSPECTS. 

^^IIIS  begins  another  cliapter  of  facts  in  our 
^^J  growth.  From  October,  1868,  to  February, 
1869,  I  was  fortunate  enough  to  receive  some  small 
returns  from  an  old  investment,  wliich  proved  of 
great  value  to  me  under  the  circumstances.  Though 
it  might  be  considered  as  strictly  personal  and  pri- 
vate, I  made  free  use  of  it  for  the  good  of  the  Order. 
Aid  from  any  and  every  source  was  acceptable,  and 
my  most  intimate  friends  in  Minnesota  will  give  me 
credit  for  no  lack  of  modesty  in  asking  for  it.  I 
spent  every  dollar  of  my  own,  and  every  one  any- 
body else  would  let  me  have.  Success  emboldens 
one — it  overcame  my  natural  modesty. 

January  4th,  1869,  I  took  the  train  from  IVIinne- 
apolis,  and  soon  found  myself  at  Maple  Plain,  anew 
station  on  the  St.  P.  &  P.  E.  P.  A  dozen  houses, 
put  up  during  the  fall  and  winter — none  finished — 
scattered  among  the  trees  and  stumps;  streets  in 
embryo,  and  foot  paths  across  lots,  gives  an  idea  of 

1J2 


Encouraging  Prospects.  i^j 

tlic  place.  Every  western  man  knows  just  how 
a  new  town  in  the  timber  appears,  and  can  imagine 
this  one  as  it  opened  to  me  when  I  stood  on  the 
platform  of  the  station.  Being  the  only  stranger 
that  left  the  train,  the  Depot  Master  recognized  me 
as  one  to  be  taken  under  his  protection,  and  I  soon 
found  he  was  Brother  Atwater,  with  whom  I  had 
been  corresponding.  In  the  evening,  we  met  in  his 
house,  the  following  named  persons  being  present : 

J.  B.  Perkins,  A.  P.  Bills, 

I.  Atwater,  O.  P.  Crigler, 

Wm.  Budd,  p.  S.  Coffin, 

,    P.  Bills,  J.  E.  Jenks, 

WlLLBURY  PURCELL,  MrS.    I.   AtWATER, 

Mrs.  p.  a.  Jexks,  Mary  Perkins, 

Mrs.  J.  Bills. 

Facilities  for  conferring  the  degrees  were  not 
extra,  the  room  being  an  ordinary  sized  living  room, 
12x16,  in  which  was  a  cook  stove,  bed,  and  other 
furniture.  We  did  the  best  we  could,  and  with 
determined  people  you  know  that  amounts  to  suc- 
cess. They  were  satisfied  and  well  pleased.  They 
had  commenced  fitting  up  a  hall  a  week  previous, 
but  had  not  got  it  completed  for  this  meeting. 

On  returning  home  from  this  trip,  I  felt  strong, 
for  others  were  now  working,  as  well  as  myself;  I 
M'as  looking  up  some   good  men   for  deputies.     I 


75^  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

found  a  number  of  letters  asking  for  information, 
and  some  where  tliey  were  ready  to  organize.  Every 
letter  had  to  be  answered  at  length,  and  most  of  the 
letters  we  then  wrote  were  from  two  or  four  pages 
letter  sheet. 

I  wrote  the  followins;  to  McDowell : 

Itasca,  Minn.,  January  IKA,  1869. 
My  Dear  Pkiest  op  Demeter  : 

The  work  is  crowding  me.    Your  letter  came  duly  to  hand, 
but  I  have  been  away  on  Avork  of  the  Order  for  several  days. 

I  hope  you  will  go  to  Washington  and  stir  up  Brothers  Ireland 
and  Thompson.  Brother  Saunders  is  so  driven  with  his  own 
business  that  he  cannot  give  any  attention  to  the  Order.  Brothers 
I.  and  T.  ought  to  give  some  attention  to  the  matters  I  have 
sent  them,  as  their  delay  is  delaying  me.  If  they  expect  me  to 
pay  the  debt  incurred  in  setting  tlie  Order  on  foot  they  ought 
certainly  help  me  to  push  the  work  ahead  that  I  may  get  means 
to  pay  with.  I  want  you  to  go  there  and  spend  a  week ;  examine 
all  the  lettei's  I  have  sent,  and  digest  the  numerous  suggestions  I 
have  made  to  them,  and  see  that  I  get  some  immediate,  definite 
replies.  I  sent  you  several  letters  in  my  last ;  I  enclose  you  more 
in  this. 

By  the  great  Horn-Spoon,  if  any  of  you  have  a  doubt  about  the 
Patrons,  come  to  Minnesota  and  see  for  yourselves.  *  *  * 
You  are  right  about  Miss  Carrie  being  a  valuable  assistant  ;  this 
Order  would  never  have  been  introduced  by  me  had  it  not  been 
for  her. 

Here  is  an  emblem  of  the  Patrons.  These  are  hung  up  over 
Ceres  in  all  the  Granges  I  organize.  I  am  preparing  an  extra- 
ordinary lecture,  which  is  neat  and  appropriate.     The  letters  are 


Encouraging  Prospects.  /jj" 

emWematic  of  the  Almighty — the  Earth — the  Ark,  and  the  Egg. 
The  mcanhig  will  tempt  you  to  study  beyond  the  date  of  the 
Eleusiniau  Mysteries. 

As  to  Lecturers  and  Deputies  in  the  Slate  Granges,  no  man 
•v\ill  be  put  there  by  me  unless  he  proves  an  efficient  worker,  and 
gives  us  aid,  either  in  funds  or  actual  labor.         *        *        * 

I  shall  certainly  try  to  visit  Fredonia  and  Wayne  before  Spring. 
I  need  personal  counsel  from  you  and  Brother  Moss.      *      *      * 

O.  H.  K. 

I  wrote  next  day  to  McDowell : 


Itasca,  Minn.,  January  12<A,  18G8. 
Dear  Brother  McDowell  : 

I  have  now  a  number  of  applications  for  Granges  in  this 
State,  but  am  delayed,  waiting  for  Manuals  from  "Washington, 
which  I  sent  for  last  October.  I  sent  to  the  printer,  ten  days 
ago,  to  send  them  by  express  C.  O.  D.  I  expect  them  this  week. 
I  hope  you  will  go  to  Washington,  and  if  you  do,  please  put  the 
seals  on  25  or  30  Dispensations,  and  get  Brother  Saunders  to 
sign  them.  As  soon  as  I  get  those  Granges  established,  I  shall 
be  enabled  to  forward  funds  to  pay  the  debts  due  in  Washington, 
and  perhaps  have  a  few  dollars  left,  as  a  renumeration  for  my 
past  year's  labors  in  the  cause— but  that  don't  trouble  me. 

We  have  a  big  work  before  us,  and  a  fire  is  now  kindled  that 
will  burn  in  this  country  for  all  time,  and  some  of  us  must  give 
our  attention  to  it.  *  *  *  I  must  have  2,000  more  Consti- 
tutions printed,  having  sent  out  the  second  edition  of  one  thousand. 
Am  spending  every  dollar  I  can  raise  for  the  good  of  the  cause. 

Sure  of  success.  Yours  fraternally, 

O.  n.  Kelley. 


1^6  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

From  Saunders  to  Ireland : 

Washington,  January  IZtTi,  1869. 
Bkother  Ireland  : 

My  Deak  Sir  : 

Is  it  not  about  time  that  the  National  Grange  held 

their  yearly  meeting?    I  am  weekly  receiving  letters  about  the 

Order,  asking  for  information,  which  it  is  quite   reasonable  to 

suppose  I  possess,  but  of  which  I  really  know  nothing. 

Besides,  I  cannot  attend  to  them.  I  am  in  great  tribulation 
about  it ;  it  is  extremely  irksome  to  me  to  have  placed  myself  in 
a  position  that  I  cannot  begin  to  fill.  I  must  get  out  of  it.  My 
time — days  and  evenings — is  all  employed.  It  is  simply  impossi- 
ble for  me,  as  at  present  situated,  to  attend  to  the  Patrons  as  I 
ought.     Therefore,  I  can  only  get  rid  of  the  position  at  once. 

I  enclose  a  batch  of  extracts  received  from  Mr.  McDowell. 
Kelley  is  doing  well,  and  the  Order  will  extend — of  that  I  have 
no  doubts  whatever — therefore  it  is  highly  wrong  in  me  to  keep 
the  position  in  it  I  now  have. 

Yours  faithfully,  Wm.  Saunders. 

RocKPORD,  Minn.,  January  Will,  18G9. 
O.  II.  Kelley  : 

Dear  Sir  : 

The  citizens  of  this  place,  members  of  the  Crow 
Eiver  Agricultural  Society,  met  last  evening  and  voted  unani- 
mously to  change  the  present  organization  into  a  Grange  of 
the  Patrons  of  Husbandry.  There  will  be  thirty-five  charter 
members ;  perhaps  more.  The  officers  will  go  to  Maple  Plain 
to-morrow  (Wednesday)  evening,  to  be  initiated.  *  *  * 
The  society  is  one  of  the  oldest  working  societies  in  the  State,  and 
have  some  money  in  their  Treasury. 

Fraternally  j'ours,  D.  R.  Farnhasi. 


G.  W.   THOMPSON. 


JOHN    COCHRANE. 


A.  COLDER. 


157  D.  R.  FARNUM, 

SccoDd  Dcpuiy  who  organized  ia  MinnesoU 


/ 


Encouraging  Prospects.  757 

To  McDowell : 

Itasca,  Minn.,  January  lG<7i,  18G9. 
Deak  Buotheu  McDowelIj  : 

Your  welcome  letter  of  11th  received  ;  am  still  without 
advices  from  Washingtou.         *        *        *        I  do  not  feel  at 
liberty  to  be  running  this  thing  without  counsel.     I  have  no 
ambition  to  be  the  great  "I  Am"  in  it,  but  merely  one  of  the 
chosen  spirits  in  what  I  deem  a  great  and  glorious  work.       *      * 
Now  that  the  clouds  are  scattering,  and  the  sun  of  prosperity 
sends  its  invigorating  rays  to  cheer  me  on — thanks  to  a  liberal  use 
of  printer's  ink — I  would  very  much  like  a  little  of  their  counsel, 
but  do  not  get  it.         *        *        *        It  is  not  the  agricultural 
journals  that  M^e  wish  to  enlist,  but  the  village  editors  ;  iliere  is 
where  our  strength  lies.     For  instance,  in  Minnesota  we  have 
over  four  hundred  thousand  inhabitants.     One  agricultural  paper 
(monthly)  that  has  seven  thousand  subscribers.    We  have  fifty-one 
daily  and  weekly  papers,  with,  say  fifty  thousand  subscribers. 
Now  what  is  all  the  influence  of  this  agricultural  paper,  once  a 
month,  compared  with  the  local  press?    Among  our  members 
here,  probably  three-fourths  of  them  never  see  an  agricultural 
paper  ;  hence,  go  for  the  local  papers.     I  do  not  let  a  week  go  by 
without  having  items  in  from  six  to  twenty  papers,  and  propose 
to  "deadhead"  every  editor  in  this  State.     Give  me  printer's 
ink  and  I  can  control  public  sentiment  on  this  continent.     That's 
the  power  the  Patrons  want,  which,  with  female  influence,  is  to 
make  the  Order  a  success.       *        *        *      Every  dollar  I  have 
received  yet  from  the  Order  has  gone  to  defray  expenses  in  get- 
ting it  in  motion,  and  it  has  not  yet  paid  half  the  expense  ;  but 
funds  will  soon  come.         *        *        *         Use  printer's  ink  at 
every  chance.  O.  II.  K. 

From  Thomas  T.  Smith : 


i^S  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

St.  Paul,  Minn.,  January  IQth,  1869. 
O .  II.  Kellet  : 

Worthy  Buothfr  : 

We  have  elected  the  following  list  of  officers  for  tha 
current  year  : 

Master,       .       .       -       .       .        William  Paist. 
Lecturer,         -       -       -       -       -   T.  M.  Smith. 
Overseer,    -----        C.  A.  Prescott. 
Steward,         .       -       -       .       .   Julian  H.  Gates. 
Assistant  Steward,    -       -       -       Lorenzo  Hoytt. 
l^easurei;     -       -       -       -       -   H.  J.  Brainard. 

Secretary, Thomas  T.  Smith. 

Oale  Keeper,        -       -       -       -    Davib  Fish. 

Ceres, Mrs.  Wm.  Paist. 

Pomona,       -----     Miss  Addie  Brainard. 

Flora, Mrs.  Julian  H.  Gates. 

Lady  Steward,    -       -       -       -    Mrs.  Wm.  E.  Brimhall. 

We  had  a  pleasant  meeting  yesterday,  at  which  time,  under  a 
special  case,  we  conferred  all  four  degrees.  We  have  now  raised 
all  our  members  to  the  Fourth  Degree.  We  have  nine  petitions 
on  file. 

Our  next  meeting,  a  special,  to  be  held  on  Friday,  January 
29th,  at  10  A.  M.,  a  Banquet  meeting  to  be  held  for  the  purpose 
of  giving  the  persons  who  attend  the  State  Horticultural  Society 
an  opportunity  of  joining  us  and  also  the  conferring  of  all  degrees, 
to  enable  them  to  organize  when  they  go  home. 

Yours,  T.  T.  Smith, 

Secretary  North  Star  Grange. 

From  C.  I.  Atwater : 

Maple  Plain,  Minn.,  January  21st,  1869. 
Dear  Brother  Kelley  : 

Rockford  Grange   is  doing  well  and  I  expect  they  will 
organize  one  at  Long  Lake  next  week.     Maple  Plain  set  the  ball 


Encouraging  Prospects.  ijQ 

in  motion  in  llu!  Big  Woods,  and  tlierc  is  no  use  trying  to  stop  it. 
Everybody  is  bound  lo  be  a  Patron. 

We  are  getting  so  we  can  put  candidates  over  the  road  very 
lively.  *  *  *  We  have  invited  the  Rockford  Grange 
to  the  installation  here.  We  should  be  very  happy  to  have  you 
bring  your  daughter  with  you.  You  are  both  welcome  to  the 
best  we  have  up  here  in  the  woods.  Accept  kind  regards  of 
Maple  Grange.  Your  friend  and  brother, 

C.  I.  Atwater. 

A  few  such  letters  were  enough,  to  send  me  "up 
in  a  balloon "  inflated  with  seventy  pounds  of  pure 
joy  to  the  square  inch.  In  both  of  these  Granges 
I  knew  every  member  felt  as  deep  an  interest 
in  the  progress  as  I  could  desire.  Of  course, 
we  accepted  the  invitation,  and  had  a  delightful 
evening  at  Maple  Plain.  At  eleven  o'clock  at  night 
we  wrapped  up  in  robes,  and,  behind  a  lively  span 
of  ponies,  driven  by  Bro.  Sleight,  started  for  Eock- 
ford,  where,  the  next  afternoon,  we  were  to  install 
the  officers,  and  instruct  the  Eockford  Grange. 

The  mercury  that  night  was  tioenty  degrees  below 
zero — the  sleighing  splendid.  By  way  of  variety, 
just  as  we  were  Grossing  a  culvert.  Brother  Sleight 
missed  the  track,  and  very  handsomely  turned  the 
sleigh  over  the  embankment,  while  my  daughter 
and  myself  rolled  in  the  snow  two  feet  deep.  It 
was  half  an  hour  or  more  before  we  got  started 
a<rain.     Of  course  we  had  some  little  snow  in  our 


i6o  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

clothes  and  up  the  sleeves.  It  doesn't  take  much  to 
cool  one  under  such  circumstances.  At  the  end  of 
about  two  hours  we  reached  our  destination.  The 
cool  sensation  of  that  night's  ride  even  now  creeps 
over  me. 

To  McDowell  : 

Itasca,  Minn.,  January  23fZ,  1869. 
Mt  Dear  McDowell  : 

Yours  of  the  18tb  at  hand.     I  have  received  from  the 

printers  at  Washington  150  Manuals,  and  paid  for  the  same. 

The  labors  of  my  office  are  pressing  me  so  hard,  and  I  have  to 

be  from  home  so  much,  it  has  become  necessary  for  me  to 

formally  appoint  an  assistant.     My  selection  is  one  in  whom  we 

all  can  place  confidence,  and  who  will  be  prompt  in  fulfilling  the 

duties  incumbent  upon  an  assistant.      *      *      *        0.  H.  K. 

From  Saunders : 

"Washington,  D.  C,  January  23(f,  1869. 
WoKTHY  Bkother  Kelley  : 

Every  day  adds  to  my  anxiety  to  be  relieved  from  the 
Mastership  of  the  Order  ;  not  that  I  liave  any  reason  to  doubt  its 
success,— that  I  think  you  have  fairly  established— but  because  I 
cannot  possibly  give  it  the  attention  I  ought,  and  feel  in  duty 
bound  to  do.  "With  the  amount  of  work  before  me  this  spring,  I 
feel  that  I  will  be  overwhelmed  with  duties.  I  wish  that  Mr. 
McDowell  could  be  prevailed  upon  to  accept,  he  would  be  a 
grand  Master  in  every  sense  of  the  term. 

I  will  spend  ten  dollars  in  Manuals  for  you  in  the  course  of  a 
few  days,  if  all  goes  well,  and  always  hope  to  help,  but  no  one 


Encouraging  Prospects.  i6i 

knowing  -what  I  have  to  attend  to  now  between  the  two  places 
would  hestitate  in  concluding  that  my  hands  are  full. 

I  sent  twenty-five  charters  a  few  days  ago.     Some  effort  must 
bo  made  to  get  you  in  Western  New  York;  they  are  ripe  there. 
I  am  yours  in  a  hurry,  Wm.  Saunders. 

From  J.  Tv.  Thompson :  ^ 

Washington,  D.  C,  January  2K>th,  1869. 
Brothek  Kelley  : 

*  *  *  Yesterday  Brother  McDowell  dropped  in 
upon  us,  and  the  National  Grange  was  at  once  convened  in 
special  and  extraordinary  session,  upon  which  occasion  Ave 
joined  hands  over  the  Altar  of  Husbandry,  and  vowed  a  vow 
unto  Ceres,  Flora,  Pomona,  and  all  the  rest  of  the  Goddesses, 
that  we  would  rekindle  the  fires  of  our  zeal  and  devotion,  and 
that  henceforth,  whatsoever  our  hands  findeth  to  do,  that  we 
will  do  with  our  tniglii. 

Saunders  has  taken  the  two  ladies'  degrees  in  hand,  and 
promises  to  return  them  to  me,  with  his  suggestions,  by  Monday 
next. 

Meantime,  Brother  Grosh  and  I  have  taken  upon  ourselves 
to  write  up  and  send  you  the  Fifth  Degree  by  the  middle  of 
next  week,  so  that  you  can  have  them  all  in  hand  by  the  6lh 
day  of  February.        *        *        *        More  anon,  and  soon. 
Yours,  J.  R.  Thompson. 

This  "extraordinary"  meeting  embraced  Bros. 
McDowell,  Grosh,  Thompson  and  Saunders.  The 
letter  of  Brother  Thompson  gives  the  outline  of 
the  business,  and  I  put  it  on  record  as  one  of  the 

meetings  of  the  ISTational  Grange. 
11 


i62  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

From  Doctor  Triml)le  to  Brother  McDowell: 

Washington,  D.  C,  January  2Qth,  18G9. 
Brother  McDowell  : 

I  write  hastily  to  express  my  regret  that  I  did  not  have 
the  pleasure  of  calling  on  you  while  here.  It  was  impossible 
for  me  to  be  at  the  meeting,  for  I  had  an  appointment  that 
could  not  be  postponed,  and  I  sujiposed  you  would  remain  over 
at  least  to-day.  Thompson  gives  me  glorious  accounts  of  the 
Order,  and  it  did  my  heart  good,  although  I  am  a  "wet 
blanket."  Has  a  "wet  blanket"  a  heart?  Ask  Kelley? 
Give  him  my  kind  regards,  and  tell  him  that  although  he  is  an 
engine  with  too  much  steam  on  all  the  time,  yet,  with  McDowell 
as  the  "governor,"  I  don't  think  the  boiler  will  burst. 

Tours  hastily,  JoHK  Trimble,  Jr. 

From  McDowell : 

New  York,  January  ZOth,  1869. 
Brother  Kelley  : 

Yours  of  the  25th,  with  enclosures,  came  duly  to  hand. 

I  have  this  moment  returned  from  'Washington,  and  have  only 

time  to  say  that  I  think  things  will  be  more  satisfactory  there  in 

future.     You  will  get  the  Fifth  Degree  from  Thompson  soon, 

and  your  letters  will  receive  attention.     They  believe  in  you  at 

Washington.  Yours  in  haste,  F.  M.  McDowell. 

Itasca,  February  15t7i,  1869. 
Dear  Brother  McDowell  : 

I  have  just  returned  from  a  tramp  of  ten  days,  organizing 

and  stirring  up  the  farmers.     Most  too  tired  to  write,  but  must 

make  the  attempt  to  answer  yours  of  the  6th.     I  will  try  to  meet 

you  in  Chicago.     Sorry  you  cannot  be  here  on  the  23d.       *      * 


Encouraging  Prospects.  j6j 

There  is  a  big  thing  under  all  this  work,  and  it  is  going  to 
require  a  good  deal  of  judgment  to  carry  it  ahead  right. 

St.  Paul,  lQth.—Oi\  reaching  home,  I  found  an  application 
from  Long  Lake,  asking  to  have  officers  installed  ;  therefcjre  I 
left  home  this  A.  M.,  for  that  purpose.  On  reaching  here  I  find 
myself  hardly  able  to  sit  up,  but  must  go.  I  am  worried  almost 
to  death  about  my  home.  I  agreed  to  commence  making  pay- 
ments last  season,  so  as  to  take  up  the  old  mortgage  father  gave 
several  years  ago,  but  have  not  made  a  payment  yet.  *  *  * 
If  my  mind  was  free  from  this  anxiety,  I  could  work  with  greater 
satisfaction.  ^«  H.  K. 

From  Doctor  Trimble : 

WAsniNGTON,  February  llih,  18G9. 
Dear  Kellet  : 

Don't  throw  up  your  hat  when  you  see  a  letter  from  the 

"wet  blanket."     I  suppose  I  ought  to  apologize  for  writing  to 

you  ;  but  the  fact  is,  Thompson  has  been  boring  me  to  help  him 

get  up  a  "degree,"  and  I  concluded  I  would  "bore  "you  la 

return.     I  made  a  very  liberal  offer  to  him,  to  find  any  amount  of 

fault  with  anything  he  wrote,  but  he  don't  seem  to  appreciate 

the  value  of  the  oflfer.     I  understand  that  you  intend  to  establish 

the  State  Grange  on  the  22d  of  February.     I  hope  you  will  have 

a  pleasant  time.     I  am  very  patiently  waiting  the  time  when  I 

can  say,  "  Didn't  I  tell  you  we  would  succeed."    Please  hurry  up 

the  happy  event.         *        *        * 

Yours  faithfully,  «fcc.,  John  Trihble,  Jr. 

From  A.  S.  Moss: 

Fredgnia,  N.  T.,  February  lith,  1869. 
Dear  Brother  Kelley  : 

*         *         *         I  have  at  last  succeeded  in  getting  that 
article  in  the  Country  Gentleman.     I  sent  it  a  long  time  ago. 


i6^  Patrons  of  Husband)-}'. 

and  made  it  short,  for  the  reason  I  was  afraid  they  would  cut  it 
short  or  reject  it,  if  too  long.  *  *  * 

Our  Grange  is  going  along  very  well.  "We  made  a  mistake  in 
letting  members  in  to  start  at  a  fee  below  the  minimum,  but  we 
are  getting  underway  now.  We  have  a  most  excellent  Worthy 
Master,  G.  D.  Hinckley.  If  all  the  Granges  could  have  the  aid 
of  such  men,  they  would  soon  be  a  power. 

I  am  fraternally  yours,  A.  S.  Moss. 

General  TVm.  Duane  AYilson  was  duly  initiated 
in  Harvest  Grange,  Washington,  in  March,  1868. 
At  the  time,  it  was  his  intention  to  return  to  Iowa, 
and  he  received  an  appointment  as  General  Deputy 
for  that  State.  Anxious  to  have  laborers  in  the 
field  organizing,  I  wrote  him  on  the  8th  of  Feb- 
ruary, and  he  replied : 

Washington,  D.  C,  February  l^th,  1869. 
My  Dear  Kelley  : 

Although  I  have  delayed  answering  yours  of  the  8th,  do 
not  think  me  lukewarm  in  the  good  cause  of  the  Patrons  of 
Husbandry.  I  have  been  urging  up  the  National  Grange  to 
complete  the  work  so  as  to  enable  me  to  go  to  work  understand- 
ingly.  Mr.  Thompson  says  all  will  be  ready  for  me  by  the  1st 
of  April,  when  I  will  leave  immediately  for  Iowa,  and  within 
six  weeks  I  shall  have  a  sufficient  number  of  Granges  established 
to  form  a  State  Grange.  Then  we  will  need  you  to  open  it  and 
give  instructions,  «&c.        *        *        * 

My  heart  has  been  with  j-ou  always  in  j'our  good  work,  and 
now  I  hope  to  add  my  co-operation,  pay  or  no  pay.  I  want  you 
to  send  me  the  By-Laws  of  North  Star  Grange,  and  if  you  have 


jBB 


WM.    DUANE    WILSON. 


Encouraging  Prospects.  i6^ 

time,  the  plan  you  follow  in  introducing  the  Order  at  the  several 
points  where  you  have  established  Granges.  I  want  to  hear 
from  you  as  often  as  possible. 

I  remain  your  friend  and  brother, 

Wm.  Duane  Wilson. 

In  St.  Paul  I  had  secured  the  services  of  A.  B. 
Curry  as  a  Deputy,  and  he  had  the  pleasure  of 
reporting,  February  20th,  Kalmar  Grange,  ISTo.  9, 
at  Byron,  in  Ohnstead  County.  This  gave  us  six 
new  Granges  since  January  1st.  I  had  sent  notices 
to  each  Subordinate  Master,  and  had  appointed 
several  good  men  as  Special  Deputies,  expressly  to 
bring  them  into  the  State  Grange,  that  we  might 
have  their  counsel  and  advice  in  getting  properly 
started,  and  on  February  23d,  1869,  we  organized 
the  State  Grange  of  Minnesota. 

I  wrote  to  McDowell : 

St.  Paul,  February  24:th,  1869. 
Brother  McDowell  : 

*        *        *        *  A    big  success.      Two  days  have 

representatives  from  eleven  Subordinate  Granges  been  in  session 
here.  They  have  just  finished  and  adopted  a  code  of  laws  for 
the  State— established  an  organ  of  the  Order  for  this  State, — and 
to-night  are  the  guests  of  North  Star  Grange.  With  the  Depu- 
ties, we  had  eighteen  in  all.  Some  of  these  Masters  have  come 
over  one  hundred  miles,  at  their  own  expense,  and  every  one  of 
them  goes  home  satisfied  that  the  "Patrons"  is  the  greatest 
institution  of  the  age. 
I  wish  you  could  have  been  here  to  see  with  what  deep  inter- 


i66  Patjvns  of  Husbandry. 

est  and  unanimity  they  conducted  the  work.  It  seems  more 
like  a  dream  than  a  reality.  In  formally  turning  tlie  work  of 
the  State  over  to  the  State  Grange,  I  delivered  a  kind  of  message 
of  some  twenty  pages  fool's  cap,  presenting  suggestions,  and 
embracing  ideas  that  have  occurred  to  my  mind  since  we  com- 
menced the  work.  *  *  *  It  was  encouraging  I  assure  you.  I 
would  not  have  you  think  me  egotistical,  but  I  know  you 
will  be  pleased  that  my  efiorts  have  met  approval. 

Deputies  must  have  some  remuneration,  and  I  have  decided 
that  on  organizing  a  Grange,  they  shall  not  receive  more  than 
thirty  charter  members,  half  the  number  to  be  females,  and  not 
less  than  fifteen  charter  members.  These  are  to  pay  the  $15  for 
Dispensation,  and  also  the  State  Grange  Fee  ;  so  that  when  one 
organizes  a  Grange  of  thirty,  he  receives  for  his  services  $22.50, 
and  pays  to  the  National  Grange  $15  for  Dispensation.     *     *    * 

The  Order  is  now  all  right,  and  you  will  live  to  see  the  day 
the  interest  you  have  taken  in  it  shall  bring  you  honor.     *    *    * 

O.  H.  K. 

The  officers  of  the  State  Grange  elected  at  that 

meeting,  were  as  follows  : 

Master,        _      -       -       -       -  Truman  M.  Smith. 

Lecturer,        -       -      -       -       -  D.  A.  Robertson. 

Overseer,      -----  Alex.  Young, 

Steward,  ------  Jesse  Twist. 

Assistant  Steward,      ,       ..       -  C.  H.  Chadbourne. 

Chaplain,       -----  William  Sleight. 

Treasurer,  -----  John  B.  Perkins. 

Secretary,       -----  William  Paist. 

Gate  Keeper,       -       -       -       -  F.  S.  Coffin. 

To  McDowell : 

Itasca,  February  2Wi,  1869. 
Dear  McDowell  : 

Here  I  am  home  again ;  just  by  the  skin  of  my  teeth, 


Encouraging  Prospects.  iCy 

however,  for  part  of  the  train  I  was  on  this  morning  was  thrown 
from  the  track,  and  the  car  in  which  I  was  seated  came  to  a 
stand,  with  one  end  in  a  ditch  and  the  other  up  in  the  air. 
I  was  in  the  w?)  cud,  of  course.  Fortunately  no  one  was  injured, 
al  hough  the  baggage  and  express  car  was  thrown  completely- 
over.     A  broken  rail  the  cause. 

Well  now  to  business.  The  State  Grange  suggests  as  follows  : 
and  the  same  I  have  submitted  to  the  "Washington  brothers. 
By  the  constitution  (Organization)  the  Fifth  Degree  comprises 
Masters  and  Past  Masters,  and  these  are  the  State  Grange.  Now 
it  is  proposed  that  the  State  Grange  shall  have  full  control  of  the 
Fifth  Degree,  and  alone  coufer  it ;  yet  the  business  of  the  State 
Grange  to  be  distinct  from  the  degree,  so  that  the  Fifth  may  be 
conferred  for  a  fee  of  $15  on  men  and  $5  on  women,  under  cer- 
tain conditions  ;  $5  of  the  male  fee  and  $1  of  the  female,  to  go  to 
the  National  Grange. 

Masters  and  Past  Masters  and  their  ladies,*  of  Subordinate 
Granges  to  receive  the  degree  gratuitous,  provided  they  can  pass 
an  examination,  and  show  themselves  perfectly  familiar  with  the 
entire  work  of  a  Subordinate  Grange. 

There  is  a  great  desire  on  the  part  of  men  and  women  of  means, 
now  connecting  themselves  with  the  Order,  to  get  all  the  degrees 
up  to  and  including  the  Seventh,  and  all  can  thus  be  opened  to 
them  as  we  get  ready,  making  the  fees  for  the  Sixth,  $25,  and 
for  the  Seventh  Degree,  $50.  This  will  enable  us  to  have  an 
increasing  fund  all  the  time,  of  which  you  see  the  need  as  well 
as  myself,  for  the  dues  from  the  Subordinate  Granges  may  and 
will  be  sulFicient  to  support  the  State  Grange,  yet  there  will  be 
but  a  small  amount  going  to  the  I^ational.        *        *        * 

O.  H.  K. 


*Some  of  the  Masters  being  single  men. 


i6S  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

To  McDowell : 

Itasca,  March  \si,  18G9. 
My  Dear  McDowell  : 

At  the  State  Grange  it  was  suggested  that  the  different 

Subordinate  Granges  lease  flouring  mills    in    their  respective 

localities,  and  flour  their  own  wheat,  keeping  the  bran  and 

shorts  for  feed,  and  not  send  any  raw  material  into  the  Eastern 

market,  but  instead,  appoint  a  business  agent  at  St.  Paul,  who 

should  receive  the  flour  and  ship  it  to  tlie  agent  in  New  York 

city,  who  shall  sell  it  on  commission.  *"         *         *        ISow 

who  will  be  the  agent  the  National  Grange  will  appoint  to 

receive  it?    He  must  be  a  man  who  will  be  reliable  in  every 

respect,  and  thereby  give  the  Order  character,  for  if  the  plan 

should  prove  feasible,  and  the  first  movement  be  a  success,  we 

are  made ;  if  otherwise,  our  ruin  is  sure.     Here  is  where  we 

want  reliable  business  men,  with  capital  who  can  advance  on 

such  consignments.     Who  shall  they  be? 

There  are  articles  the  Subordinate  Granges  will  wish  to  pur- 
chase in  the  East,  and  the  same  agents  can  get  thera,  so  our 
members  may  save  some  of  the  profits  that  now  go  to  the 
dealers  here.         *        *        * 

I  hope  to  meet  you,  with  Brother  Moss,  at  Fredonia,  and  then 
go  with  me  to  Washington  and  spend  three  days  there. 

O.  H.  K. 

Erom  McDowell: 

Wayne,  N.  Y.,  March  ^th,  1869, 
My  Dear  Brother  Kelley  : 

Yours  of  24th  of  February,  from  St.  Paul,  is  at  hand.  I 
am  sorry  it  could  not  be  that  we  could  meet  and  review  the  past, 
canvass  the  present,  and  map  out  the  future  ;  for  the  future  must 
be  laid  out,  and  ice  must  do  it ;  if  not  now,  soon  at  least.  It 
just  occurs  to  me  to  ask  if  you  saw  Ireland  when  he  was  west, 


Encouraging  Prospects.  i6g 

and  if  so,  what  Ciiiuo  of  it?  lie  said  when  I  saw  liim  tliat  lie 
would  go  and  see  you.  I  did  not  see  Dr.  Trimble  when  I  was 
in  Washington.         *        *        * 

So  the  Patrons  area  "big  success."  "Well,  all  I  can  say  is, 
you  have  done  a  big  work.  "Well  done,  good  and  faithful 
servant."        *        *        *  F.  M.  McD. 

To  McDowell : 

St.  Paul,  llarch.  Wi,  1SG9. 
My  Deak  McDowell  : 

*         *         *         I  am  introducing  a  system  of  work  for 

special  deputies,  and  as  soon  as  I  find  the  right  kind  of  men,  I 

set  them  at  work  to  organize.        *        *        *        i  hope  to  start 

for  Wayne  ma  Fredonia,  N,  Y.,  in  about  two  weeks,  if  I  can 

"raise  the  wind." 

I  enclose  your  brother's  appointment  as  a  General  Deputy,  by 

which  he  becomes  a  member  of  the  National  Grange.     We  need 

such  advisers.        *        *        *  O.  H.  K. 

To  McDowell : 

Itasca,  March  12th,  1869. 
Dear  McDowell  : 

Yours  of  5th  received.  I  have  just  returned  from  Monti- 
cello,  where  I  organized  another  Grange  last  night,  with  my  old 
friend,  Sam.  E.  Adams,  as  Master. 

I  have  neither  seen  nor  heard  from  Ireland  for  months,  though 
I  have  written  and  sent  valuable  matter  to  him,  which  should 
have  been  returned  to  me  long  ago.  Tliis  dilatory  work  is 
putting  me  back,  and  it  is  evident  some  of  us  must  get  together 
as  soon  as  possible,  and  make  different  arrangements,  else  we 
shall  be  in  a  snarl. 

My  photograph,  the  very  first  I  ever  had  taken,  is  done  ;  Avill 
bring  it  to  you  as  Avell  as  my  regalia.     *    •*    *  O.  H.  K. 


lyo  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

From  McDowell: 

Wayne, 

March  9th,  1869. 


Wayne,  Steuben  Co.,  N.  Y.,  | 


Brother  Kellet : 

Yours  of  February  27tli  and  March  1st  came  by  same 
mail.  *  *  *  I  notice  what  you  say  about  the  State 
Grange  to  have  control  of  the  Fifth  Degree.  I  see  no  objections 
to  it  at  this  moment,  but  it  is  a  matter  of  much  importance,  and 
should  be  thoroughly  discussed  in  Council,  before  being  decided 
upon.  We  will  discuss  the  matter  when  you  come  East ;  but  I 
think  it  is  more  than  doubtful  if  I  am  able  to  leave  to  go  on  to 
Washington,  as  we  are  very  busy  preparing  for  the  work  of  the 
year  on  the  farm  and  vineyards.  *  *  *  Now  in 

relation  to  the  flouring  mill  and  commission  idea.  My  dear 
brother,  this  is  a  matter  fraught  with  much  good  or  evil — not 
only  for  individual  Patrons,  but  to  the  Order  itself,  and  for  the 
present  I  should  do  nothing  but  discourage  it,  or  at  least  take  it  on 
thought.  A  failure  here  would  be  ruin,  and  we  cannot  afford  to 
take  any  such  risk.     *    *    *  F.  M.  McDowell. 

The  organization  of  tlie  State  Grange  of  Minne- 
sota, and  North  Star  Grange,  gave  to  our  Order 
some  good  men  and  women.  Among  these  Avere 
Col.  D.  A.  Robertson,  Wm.  Paist,  wife  and  daughter, 
"W.  E.  Brimhall,  Lorenzo  Hojt,  H.  J.  Brainard,  wife 
and  daughter,  Eugene  Underwood,  C.  A.  Prescott, 
wife  and  daughter,  Greenville  Pales  and  others. 
From  frequent  interviews  with  these  parties,  I 
gathered  much  valuable  information  which  has 
proved  of  service  since.  They  were  earnest  workers 
and  I  could  always  refer  to  them,  as  well  as  Fredoiiia 


Encouraging  Prospects.  lyi 

Grange,  witli  a  degree  of  pride,  satisfied  they  would 
cordially  sustain  every  effort  I  should  make.  It 
was  necessary  for  me  to  assume  considerable  author- 
ity, and  I  was  almost  invariably  endorsed  by  these, 
my  intimates.  As  an  instance,  the  matter  of 
appointing  a  State  Agent  was  being  agitated.  Pres- 
cott  was  determined  to  secure  it,  and  others  wanted 
Paist  to  have  it ;  for  my  own  part,  I  coincided  with 
McDowell's  views.     The  move  might  be  premature. 

I  wrote  Paist : 

March  10th,  1869. 
William  Paist, 

Secretary  State  Grange  of  Minnesota  : 
Worthy  Brother  : 

Letters  received  from  the  East  prompt  me  to 
inform  j^ou  that  the  National  Grange  has  the  subject  of  Busi- 
ness Agent  under  advisement,  and  it  will  be  premature  to  make 
any  appointments  for  Minnesota  until  you  are  further  advised. 
It  is  looked  upon  as  a  movement  of  vital  interest  to  the  Order, 
and  involves  its  success  or  its  ruin  ;  hence  we  must  be  cautious. 

O.  H.  K. 

Our  correspondence  was  gradually  increasing,  and 
for  a  small  business  we  were  kept  pretty  actively 
employed.  Good  organizing  deputies  were  most 
in  demand.  The  most  vigorous  one  I  had  yet 
secured  was  D.  P.  Farnham,  of  Rockford,  in  Wright 
County.  Our  united  efforts,  with  Brother  Curry, 
gave  us  five  new  Granges  for  March. 


IJ2  Patrons  of  Hiisband}y. 

Under  date  of  March  14th,  Brother  Moss  wrote 
me  from  Fredonia,  N.  Y.,  to  meet  with  his  Grange, 
if  possible,  in  two  weeks,  as  that  would  be  their 
regular  meeting. 

To  McDowell,  March  15th: 

*  *  *  You  must  see  the  advantage  to  our  Order  to 
have  some  Tieavy  men  in  the  Senate,  and  I  do  hope  you  will 
suggest  to  others  the  advantages  of  being  at  the  head  of  such  an 
organization.  If  you  can  find  eight  or  ten  men  who  will  con- 
tribute liberally  in  funds,  so  we  can  push  ahead  lively  this 
season,  we  shall  come  out  all  right.         *        *        * 

We  want  considerable  printing  done,  and  I  must  have  funds  at 
my  command,  so  as  to  go  from  one  State  to  another  without 
being  cramped.  *  *  *  i  must  urge  you  to  make  a 
move,  else  I  fear  I  shall  have  to  censure  the  Priest  of  Demeter 
for  inactivity  when  we  meet.  It  is  now  a  year  nearly  since  I 
saw  you  and  received  your  parting  blessing.  O.  H.  K. 

Early  in  March  I  composed  the  Funeral  Cere- 
mony, and  first  submitted  it  to  Brother  Robertson, 
of  St.  Paul.  He  returned  it  with  a  very  compli- 
mentary approval. 

On  the  2 2d  of  March,  McDowell  wrote  me  from 
■\Vayne,  K.  Y. : 

*  *  *  Your  idea  about  getting  men  of  means  into 
the  National  Grange  is  a  good  one,  and  deserves  attention  and 
effort.     When  you  come  on  we  will  ventilate  it. 

Your  letter  to  the  North  Star  Grange  on  social  relations 
between  city  and  country,  is  good — very  good— and  the  P.  of 


Encouraging  Prospects.  lyj 

D.  says  amen  to  every  word  of  it.     Write,  my  brother  ;  for  you 
can  write. 

I  have  read  the  letter  of  the  Master  of  the  State  Grange  in 
regard  to  settling  all  matters  of  difference  inside  the  Order,  and 
would  gladly  subscribe  to  his  views  of  it,  if  I  thought  such  a 
thing  could  be  made  to  work.  His  heart  is  right,  but  I  think  his 
ideas  are  a  little  quixotic.  If  all  Avho  become  Patrons  were 
born  again  when  they  took  the  oath,  I  should  have  some 
hope  ;  but  not  at  present.  There  is,  I  fear,  too  much  human 
nature  among  us  to  die  so  quietly.  F.  M.  McDowell. 

The  last  week  in  March  I  left  home  once  more 
for  the  East.  Brother  Brainerd  had  the  pleasure 
of  advancing  me,  on  private  account,  $25  for 
expenses.  It  was  well  for  me  I  found  such  friends 
in  those  early  days.  I  was  enabled  to  fill  my 
engagement  at  Fredonia  promptly.  I  arrived  there 
April  2d,  and  was  the  recipient  of  a  splendid 
entertainment  in  the  evening.  It  was  one  of  those 
occasions  where  the  guest  feels  himself  under  obli- 
gations to  the  host  for  very  marked  attentions — a 
fraternal  welcome  that  had  food  for  body  and  mind 
sandwiched  together  so  nicely,  that  one  enjoys  a 
ravenous  appetite.  The  hall  was  large  and  hand- 
somely furnished.  The  Grange  numbered  fully 
one  hundred  members.  All  were  in  full  regalia. 
Brother  George  D.  Hinckley  was  Master.  Some 
of  the  members  had  composed  several  songs,  and 
everything  was   done  in  so  systematic  a  manner, 


ijjj.  Patrons  of  Husbandly. 

that  I  found  myself,  several  times  in  the  evening, 
as  they  went  through  the  degrees,  wondering  to 
myself  if  I  ever  had  anything  to  do  with  the  work 
they  were  doing.  When  the  table  was  spread  for 
the  feast,  I  confess  the  sight  was  grand.  I  doubt 
if  one  more  costly  is  often  seen  in  our  Granges. 
When  I  left,  they  very  kindly  presented  me  with 
twenty-five  dollars  for  expenses.  I  spent  a  couple 
of  days  here  to  great  advantage,  and  I  then  visited 
McDowell  at  Wayne. 

It  may  be  presumed  this  was  an  agreeable  meet- 
ing. We  reviewed  my  work  and  considerable 
matter  I  had  with  me — several  proposed  amend- 
ments to  the  Constitution — particularly  the  "busi- 
ness feature"  proposed  to  be  incorporated  in  the 
work  in  Minnesota.  I  went  with  him  to  Bath, 
N.  Y.,  where  we  spent  a  day  and  night  with  his 
brother,  considering  the  subject,  and  then  left  for 
Washington,  to  attend  the 

First  Annual  Session  of  the  National  Grange, 
April  13th,  1869. 

At  2  p.  M.,  our  meeting  was  called  to  order  by 
Brother  Saunders.  There  were  present  Brothers 
Saunders,  Grosh,  Ireland,  Trimble,  Thompson  and 
Kellcy. 


175 


WILLIAM     SAUNDERS. 


Encouraging  Prospects.  IJS 

The  report  of  the  Secretary  was  presented,  show- 
ing nine  Dispensations  issued  for  the  year  1868, 
and  one  Grange  organized  gratuitous  in  Minnesota. 
He  presented  numerous  letters  from  parties,  show- 
ing a  decided  interest  being  manifested  in  the 
Order;  also  quite  a  number  of  newspapers  that  had 
been  sent  to  the  Acting  Secretary,  the  wrappers  of 
which  had  never  been  removed.  These  papers  all 
contained  one  or  more  articles  relative  to  the 
Order. 

The  success  of  the  Secretary  was  complimented, 
and  he  was  encouraged  to  go  ahead. 

A  pattern  of  regalia,  which  had  been  introduced 
in  Minnesota  Granges,  and  first  worn  in  iN'orth  Star 
Grange,  at  St.  Paul,  was,  on  motion  of  Brother 
Grosh,  unanimously  adopted;  and  on  motion  of 
Brother  Trimble,  it  was  resolved,  that  to  secure 
uniformity  in  regalia  throughout  the  whole  Order, 
the  Secretary  is  hereby  authorized  and  instructed 
to  furnish  the  same. 

The  subject  of  jewels  was  considered,  and  after 
some  discussion,  on  motion  of  Brother  Grosh,  the 
Secretary  was  authorized  to  correspond  with  Joseph 
Seymour,  of  Syracuse,  i>r.  Y.,  relative  to  the  designs 
and  manufacture  of  the  same. 

Brother  Ireland  having  his  time  fully  occupied  in 
his  Government  position  was  unable  to  give  neces- 


1^6  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

saiy '  attention  to  i!liG  duties  of  Acting  Secretary. 
Brotlier  Thompson  was  appointed  in  liis  stead. 

Owing  to  the  fact  that  the  Secretary  was  absent 
from  liis  home  much  of  the  time,  in  organizing 
Granges  and  introducing  the  Order,  and  the  corres- 
pondence of  his  office  increasing,  he  reported  that 
he  had  appointed  Miss  C.  A.  Hall  as  his  assistant; 
when,  on  motion  of  Brother  Grosh,  the  appointment 
was  confirmed,  and  the  Secretary  authorized  to  pay 
her  a  salary  of  six  hundred  dollars  for  the  present 
year. 

The  letter  of  Brother  Saunders,  tendering  his  res- 
ignation as  Master  of  the  National  Grange,  was 
read,  and,  on  motion  of  Brother  Ireland,  unani- 
mously laid  on  the  table. 

The  matter  of  appointing  a  general  business 
agent  of  the  Order,  also  State  agents  to  attend  to 
buying  and  selling  for  the  Subordinate  Granges, 
was  introduced  by  a  letter  from  Brother  F.  M. 
McDowell,  and  after  some  discussion  was  laid  on 
the  table. 

The  following  laws  were  adopted : 

Be,  it  enacted,  etc.,  That  each  State  Grange  may  enact  such 
laws  as  may  be  deemed  advisable,  provided  they  do  not  couUict 
■svith  the  Constitution  of  the  Order. 

Be  it  enacted,  etc.,  The  wives  and  daughters  (of  lawful  age) 
of  Masters  and  Past  Masters  of  Subordinate  Granges  and  Special 


Encouraging  Prospects.  lyj 

Dopntics  of  the  State,  shall,  upon  being  elected,  be  entitled  to 
receive  the  Fifth  Degree. 

Be  it  enacted,  etc..  That  wives  and  daughters  of  Masters  and 
Pagt  Masters  of  State  Granges,  and  Lecturers  appointed  by  the 
Master  of  National  Grange,  or  by  his  authority,  shall  be  entitled, 
upon  election,  to  receive  the  degrees  of  the  National  Grange. 

Be  it  enacted,  etc.,  That  no  money  premium  shall  be  paid  by 
any  Grange  at  their  fairs.  Diplomas  and  silver  medals  may  be 
issued  by  the  State  Grange,  and  diplomas  by  Subordinate 
Granges,  and  diplomas,  silver  and  gold  medals,  by  the  National 
Grange  :  and  no  article  shall  receive  a  diploma  or  medal  a  second 
time  in  the  same  State. 

Be  it  enacted,  etc.,  That  on  and  after  the  imssage  of  this  act, 
that  after  a  State  Grange  is  organized  in  any  State,  that  all  per- 
sons to  be  entitled  to  the  rank  of  Past  Masters,  must  have  served 
one  j^ear  as  Master  of  a  Subordinate  Grange,  and  until  a  Master 
has  served  that  length  of  time,  he  is  not  qualified  to  receive  the 
Fifth  Degree. 

Be  it  enacted,  etc.,  That  each  Grange  shall  have  a  museum, 
in  which  shall  be  placed  samples  of  each  year's  crop  of  grain, 
and  such  other  articles,  including  local  natural  curiosities  and 
valuables,  as  they  shall  deem  worthy  of  saving  duplicates  of; 
such  duplicates,  as  far  as  possible,  shall  be  sent  to  the  State 
Grange. 

Be  it  enacted,  etc.,  That  all  Masters  and  Past  Masters  may,  by 
virtue  of  their  office,  receive  the  Fifth  Degree,  and  any  member 
of  the  Subordinate  Grange,  who  shall  be  free  from  the  books  in 
bis  Grange,  and  shall  pass  a  thorough  examination  in  the  four 
degrees,  may  be  eligible  to  the  Fifth  Degree,  if  elected,  and  upon 
paying  the  Secretary  of  the  State  Grange,  in  presenting  his  appli- 
cation, the  sum  of  not  less  than  ten  dollars,  may  receive  the 
degree  at  a  regular  or   special  meeting  called  for  the  purpose. 

12 


lyS  Patrons  of  Hnsbaitdiy. 

But  such  members  are  not  entitled  to  voice  or  vote  except  in  the 
strict  work  of  a  degree.  They  shall  only  be  silent  members  in 
the  work  of  the  State  Grange.  If  elected,  the  Treasurer  of  the 
State  Grange  shall  pay  three  dollars  of  this  fee  to  the  National 
Grange. 

Be  it  enacted,  etc..  That  members  intending  to  travel,  can,  if 
clear  of  the  books  and  in  good  standing,  obtain  a  Traveling  Card 
signed  by  the  Master  and  Secretary  of  the  Grange,  and  in  case  a 
brother  or  sister  removing  to  another  place  desire  to  join  another 
Grange,  he  or  she  may  obtain  a  letter  of  withdrawal,  and  upon 
receiving  an  unanimous  vote,  may  become  a  member  of  the 
Grange  balloting  for  them,  without  further  fee  except  the  regular 
monthly  dues. 

Be  it  enacted,  etc.,  That  horse  racing  and  side  shows  shall  be 
forever  excluded  from  the  fairs  and  exhibitions  of  all  Granges 
connected  with  this  Order. 

Several  proposed  amendments  to  the  Constitution 
had  been  sent  by  me  prior  to  the  time  for  the  regular 
meeting.  These  were  brought  up,  but  as  our  Con- 
stitution required  six  months'  notice  to  be  given, 
they  were  laid  over  until  a  future  meeting,  which  it 
was  proposed  to  hold  in  July. 

The  Secretary  was  authorized  to  continue  organ- 
izing, with  full  liberty  to  make  such  use  of  the 
funds  he  received  as  circumstances  might  require, 
and  to  adopt  such  plans  as  in  his  judgment  should 
be  expedient  for  the  good  of  the  Order,  but  to 
report  monthly  his  receipts  and  expenditures. 


Encojiragiiig  Prospects.  lyg 

This  closed  our  session,  and  we  adjourned,  subject 
to  the  call  of  the  Muster. 

Ilaviuic  arrived  in  Washinsrton  not  over  rich  in 
funds,  it  required  an  effort  on  my  part  to  leave  the 
city  in  good  order,  without  any  aid  from  my  asso- 
ciates. 

I  called  on  ^Ir.  Bean,  and  paid  the  balance  of  the 
note.  I  next  visited  the  printers,  and  found  we  had 
but  287  Manuals  left  in  their  hands.  These  I  pro- 
posed to  receive,  as  I  had  the  rest,  C.  O.  D.,  and 
requested  them  not  to  look  to  any  one  else  but 
myself  to  pay  the  balance  of  their  bill. 

I  then  called  upon  Brother  Ireland,  our  Treas- 
urer, to  close  up  my  account  with  him  for  the  year, 
when  he  informed  me  that  I  reported  more  money 
spent  than  I  had  received.  I  requested  him  to  give 
me  credit  for  the  balance,  as  advances  from  my  own 
funds;  that  I  would,  as  Secretary,  furnish  him 
monthly  a  statement  (as  I  had  been  doing),  simply 
of  receipts  and  expenditures,  leaving  him  to  strike 
balances,  and  either  charge  or  credit  me  with  the 
amount.  To  this  he  agreed,  and  promised  to 
furnish  me  with  a  regular  form  for  making  my 
reports  in  future,  as  the  understanding  with  the 
rest  was,  that  I  should  use  all  the  funds  as  fast  as 
received. 

"While  in  Washington  I  received  the  following: 


i8o  Patrons  of  Husbandly. 

St.  Paul,  MarcJi  3Is<,  1869. 
O.  H.  Kellet,  Wasldngton : 

Dear  Sir  : 

Please  have  Hon.  John  Weir,  of  Terre  Haute,  Vigo 
County,  Indiana,  made  a  Special  Deputy  for  Indiana.  I  know 
him  well,  and  have  got  him  deeply  interested.  Appoint  him, 
and  I  will  post  him  in  the  work  some  time  this  spring.  *  *  * 
"By  St.  Paul,  the  work  goes  bravely  on."  "  Hurry  back  "  to 
the  State,  should  be  your  motto.  A.  B.  Curry. 

From  "VVm.  Paist: 

St.  Paut-,  April  2d,  18G9. 
Brother  Kelley  : 

While  sitting  around  Brother  Prescott's  stove,  (a  quorum,^ 

we    received    a  letter    from    Brother    Chadbourne,    approving 

Brother  Prescott's  appointment  as  State  Agent,  and  requesting 

him  to  go  down  on  Robert  Street  and  purchase  a  jackass  for  him. 

As  this  is  his  first  order,  we  thought  it  too  good  to  keep  until  you 

got  back,  and  the  quorum  has  directed  me  to  inform  you  oificially 

of  it.     Reports  are  coming  in.     Hurry  home  ;  we  are  lonesome. 

Wm.  Paist, 

Secretary  State  Grange. 

On  this  I  find  the  memoranda:  "This  purchasing 
"business  commenced  with  buying  jackasses;  the 
prospects  are  that  many  will  be  sold." 

To  McDowell: 

Itasca,  Minn.,  April  lUth,  18G9. 
Dear  McDowell  : 

I  reached  home  this  morning,  and  find  the  good  work  has 

been  going  on  lively  in  my  absence.     They  discarded  the  State 

Agency  at  Washington,  as  premature.     We  can  work  into  it  by 


Encouraging  Prospects.  iSi 

degrees.  I  shall  go  to  St.  Paul  on  Tuesday,  and  sec  some  of 
the  members  of  the  State  Grange  about  the  matter. 

I  had  a  delightful  trip,  and  it  has  done  me  great  good.  I  find 
myself  so  overwhelmed  with  writing,  on  my  return,  that  it  will 
be  a  month  before  I  can  find  time  to  go  out  and  organize  Granges 
myself.  They  agreed  at  Washington  that  Miss  Carrie  should 
receive  $000  per  annum  as  my  assistant.  I  am  sure  she  will 
earn  it,  as  most  of  the  correspondence  will  necessarily  devolve 
upon  her. 

Nothing  new  to  write  this  time.  We  agreed  upon  emblems  of 
officers,  and  adopted  an  uniform  regalia. 

I  am  strongly  in  favor  of  your  plan  relative  to  the  State 
Granges  making  arrangements  with  manufacturers,  nurserymen, 
and  others,  so  as  to  enable  members  to  get  articles  at  reduced 
rates,  and  at  the  same  time  create  a  reserved  fund. 

I  propose  for  your  consideration  that  the  National  Grange 
purchase  a  house  and  an  acre  or  two  of  ground  in  the  vicinity  of 
Cincinnati,  and  make  that  the  future  center  of  the  Order. 
When  purchased,  I  will  move  there  and  occupy  the  domicil  until 
the  National  Grange  is  able  to  put  up  the  Temple.  "Where 
there's  a  will  there's  a  way."  If  I  have  to  give  my  whole 
time  to  the  work,  I  may  as  well  go  to  some  accessible  point 
convenient  to  North,  South,  East  and  West. 

It  will  be  worth  money  to  those  in  business  in  Cincinnati,  to 
have  us  locate  there.  By  studying  the  Railroad  map,  you  will 
see  that  four  great  lines  of  communication  center  there,  and  it 
will  be  the  point  where  the  National  Grange  can  open  a  Bien- 
nial Exposition  of  the  products  of  the  United  States.  If  on  such 
an  occasion  we  should  bring  into  that  city  two  or  three  hundred 
thousand  visitors,  w^ould  it  not  be  policy  for  property  holders, 
hotel  keepers  and  merchants,  to  subscribe,  and  present  us  with 
sufficient  to  purchase  such  a  building,  as  would  answer  for  the 


i82  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

residence  and  business  offices  of  the  Secretary  for  the  present. 
This  may  look  chimerical,  but  "it  can  be  did." 

Saunders'  idea  is,  that  before  long  the  National  Grange  must 
establish  a  neAvspaper  in  its  interest,  and  he  go  in  as  editor-in- 
chief.     That  city  will  be  the  place  from  whence  to  issue  it. 

O.  H.  K. 

From  Ireland : 

Washington,  D.  C,  AinWi^^d,  1869. 
Dear  Brotheu  Kelley  : 

When  you  get  out  another  supply  of  blanks  for  Quarterly 
Report  (C),  I  think  it  would  be  well  to  have  an  addition  made 
to  the  heading,  so  that  the  town  and  State  should  be  given  thus  : 
*  *  *  *  Do  not  forget  our  Agates.  When  you  get 
out  a  new  edition  of  the  Manual,  send  me  some  copies. 

Wm.  M.  Ireland. 

From  J.  R.  Thompson : 

Washington,  D.  C,  A^ril  26th,  1869. 
Brother  Kelley  : 

I  write  to  explain  why  I  have  not  sent  you  the  corrections 
in  the  published  Manuals.  Immediately  after  you  left,  I  put 
the  only  copy  thereof  that  I  had,  into  the  hands  of  Dr.  Trimble, 
who  promised  to  look  it  through  carefully  and  note  the  neces- 
sary corrections.  *  *  *  *  j  ga^y  him  about 
a  week  ago,  and  he  then  promised  that  he  would  bring  the 
Manual  in  corrected  the  next  day.  Since  then  I  have  not  seeu 
him. 

I  have  this  morning  succeeded  in  borrowing  another  copy  of 
the  Manual,  and  will  look  it  through  to-day  and  to-morrow,  and 
send  you  the  result.  It  is  full  of  mistakes,  misprints,  and  typo- 
graphical errors,  which  sliould  be  guarded  against  in  tlie  next 
edition.     Put  on  your  spectacles  and  read  the  proof.     I  will 


Encouraging  Prospects.  i8j 

endeavor  to  send  j^ou  the  corrections  in  a  day  or  two.  In  the 
meantime,  please  send  me  some  letter-Leads  and  envelopes  for 
official  correspondence. 

Yours  on  the  sickle,  J.  R.  Thompson, 

Acting  Secretary. 

I  replied  tlio  same  day: 

A  few  letter-sheets  will  be  sent  by  this  mail.  The  National 
Grange  in  this  quarter  is  short  of  funds,  but  if  you  will  enclose 
five  dollars,  we  will  have  five  hundred  envelopes  printed  as  you 
desire.  Please  forward  your  revised  copy  of  the  Manual  as 
soon  as  possible.  O.  H.  K 

To  McDowell: 

St.  Paul,  Aiwil  2Qt7i,,  1869. 
Deau  Brother  McDowell  : 

I  have  met  a  number  of  the  members  of  the  Order  here,  and 
had  lively  talks  about  the  State  Agency.  They  insist  that  the  State 
Grange  has  a  right  to  appoint  such  an  agent,  and  the  National 
has  no  right  to  interfere.  It  is  claimed  as  a  local  affair,  and 
some  of  them  say  if  they  can't  do  as  they  please,  and  thus  protect 
themselves  against  being  swindled  by  the  middlemen,  they  will 
withdraw  from  the  organization  in  a  body,  and  run  it  on  their 
own  hook.  To  quiet  them,  I  have  told  them  to  go  ahead,  that 
the  National  Grange  considers  it  a  local  affair  of  their  own,  and 
not  sanctioned  by  the  Order  at  large.  If  any  trouble  arises,  they 
must  father  it  themselves.  So  I  leave  everything  in  apple-pic 
order,  and  they  are  going  on  smoothly. 

There  is  one  thing  that  must  be  done,  and  that  is  we  must 
raise  some  funds.  I  have  to  get  out  the  new  edition  of  the 
Manual ;  we  are  nearly  out  of  the  old  ones,  and  before  the  new 
can  be  printed,  we  shall  be  out.    I  must  have  some  funds  to  give 


i8^  Patrons  of  Hiisba-ndry. 

the  printers.  The  members  of  the  Order  here  have  the  impres- 
sion that  the  members  of  the  National  Grange  comprise  men 
of  means,  and  it  is  going  to  injure  us  materially  if  we  cannot 
raise  a  couple  of  hundred  dollars  without  drawing  from  them. 
If  they  should  find  out  the  great  strength  of  the  Order  was  iu 
Minnesota,  and  they  were  footing  the  bills,  we  would  be  the 
losers.  *  *  *  I  do  not  want  to  get  too  large  a  debt 
here  for  printing.  We  must  keep  on  the  right  side  of  printer's 
ink,  or  we  go  under.  I  will  work  like  a  trojau,  that  jou  know, 
but  must  have  ammunition  from  some  source.  O.  11.  K. 

To  Irelaud: 

Itasca,  A^ril  2Wi,  1869. 
Deau  Bkother  Ireland  : 

Yours  of  23d  received.     "Will  attend  to  the  blanks  as 

requested.     The  agates  will  be  sent  soon.     I  have  just  completed 

the  Manual  (to-day,)  and  take  it  to  the  printer  this  week.     I  am. 

now  on  the  Fifth  Degree,  and  want  an  obligation  just  as  quick 

as  you  can  send  it.     I  am  wording  the  degree  so  that  ladies  and 

gents  can  take  it  together,  and  have  but    the  one  ceremony. 

*        *        *        I  will  make  it  impressive,  if  possible.     Now  for 

the  obligation,  I  want  it  something  like  this.         *        *        * 

Get  up  a  good  one  and  send  it  immediately.     By  the  way,  has 

Mr.  Zevely  been  removed,  and  whut  are  your  chances  ?    Has 

Doctor  Trimble  been  removed  ?     lie  expected  to  go  overboard 

the  day  after  I  left.     If  you  have  to  go,  I  hope  it  will  be  the 

means  of  your  organizing  some  Granges  in  Pennsylvania.     If  I 

could  only  have  you  iu  the  good  w^ork  East  while  I  work  West, 

we  would  soon  make  a  stir.     What  do  you  think  of  my  going 

to  Louisville  this  fall,  and  make  the  head-quarters  of  the  Order 

there  ?     We  can  get  some  good  property  in  that  vicinity  cheap, 

and  lay  out  eventually  some  magnificent  grounds.        ■»        *       * 

Now  please  answer  this,  line  l)y  line.  O.  II.  K. 


185 


GEO.    D.    HINCKLEY. 


Encouraging  Prospects.  iSj 

From  G.  D.  Hinckley  : 

FiiEDONiA,  N.  Y.,  April  6th,  18G9. 
Deau  Sir  and  Brotheu  : 

Your  favor  of  19th  ultimo  -was  received  -with  much  plea- 
sure.    Allow  me  to  congratulate  you  oa  your  safe  arrival  at 
home,   and  the  cheering  prospects  of  the  Order.       Frcdonia 
Grange  continues  to  prosper  by  increasing  members,  and  I  trust, 
in  course  of  the  season,  we  shall  be  able  to  report  additional 
Granges  in  this  vicinity.     When  you  were  here,  we  had  some 
conversation  in  reference    to  the  last    lecture  in  the  Fourth 
Degree.     I  have  been  trying  to  remodel  it  somewhat,    with 
reference  to  giving  it  to  the  candidates  immediately  after  the 
explanation  of  the  passwords  and  signs.     I  submit  it  for  your 
consideration.      1  have  not  exhibited   it    to  anj^   one  as  yet, 
preferring  your  judgment  in  the  matter.     My  idea  is,  that  a  kind 
of  summing  up  would   be  appropriate  at  that  time  ;   after  the 
banquet,  an  address,  perhaps  extempore,  long  or  short,  as  occa- 
sion would  seem  to  require,  upon  the  practical  objects  and  bene- 
fits of  the  Order.         *        *        *         [Here  follows  the  Master's 
final  charge  in  the  Fourth  Degree,  which  I  immediately  sent  to 
the  printer.  ] 

Please  accept  my  thanks  for  the  confirmation  of  my  appoint- 
ment as  Deputy,  with  the  assurance  that  I  will  do  all  in  my 
power  to  advance  the  interests  of  the  Order.  Also  please  accept 
the  best  wishes  of  myself  and  family,  with  the  hope  that  many 
pleasant  meetings  are  yet  in  store  for  us. 

Respectfully  and  fraternally  yours,      G.  D.  Hinckley. 

Durinsj  the  month  I  commenced  a  correspondence 
with  Joseph  Seymour  &  Son,  of  Syracuse,  K  Y., 
rehative  to  manufacturing  jewels  for  our  Subordinate 
Granges.     Early  in  May  he  proposed  to  commence 


i86  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

the  manufacture  of  tliem,  provided  we  would  guar- 
antee that  he  should  have  the  making  of  all  we 
wanted,  as  it  would  not  pay  him  to  take  hold  of 
such  work  on  an  uncertainty.  It  was  plain  to  he 
seen,  the  demand  at  that  time  would  not  warrant 
any  expenditure,  though  all  interested  were  willing 
to  pledge  the  entire  business  to  that  establishment, 
if  he  would  lead  off  in  the  manufacture. 

To  McDowell : 

Itasca,  May  4<A,  1869. 
My  Dear  McDowell  : 

I  have  just  returned  from  St.  Paul,  where  I  had  another 

long  interview  with  some  of  the  members  of  the  State  Grange, 

relative  to  the  business  agent.     They  have  received  letters  from 

every  Subordinate  Grange  approving  of  the  objects  set  forth  in 

the  circular  published  in  Number  4,  of  the  Minnesota  Monthly. 

*  *  *  They  claim  it  wholly  as  a  local  matter,  and  an 
experiment  that  does  not  necessarily  involve  the  Order,  but  to  test 
the  expediency  of  such  an  agency,  for  it  is  evident  something 
must  be  done  to  protect  our  members  from  the  impositions  now 
prevalent  here,  as  well  as  to  secure  machinery  at  reduced  rates. 

*  *  *  If  they  go  ahead  as  they  propose,  it  will  have  a 
tendency  to  break  up  the  combinations  between  manufac- 
turers and  dealers,  and  bring  the  retail  trade  down  upon  us. 
This  will  wake  up  the  farmers,  and  as  soon  as  a  lively  fight  com- 
mences, our  membership  will  increase  rapidly.  This  will 
augment  the  fees  in  National  and  State  Granges,  and  give  us 
capital  without  jeopardizing  the  Order.  The  agent  will  send 
circulars  to  every  manufacturer  of  agricultural  implements, 
and  thus  give  us  lively  advertisements  in  all  quarters.    If  it 


Encouraging  Prospects.  iSy 

proves  a  success,  well  and  good  ;  if  a  failure,  we  can  say  it  was  a 
local  matter  not  sanctioned  by  the  National  Grange.  If  it  proves 
a  good  thing,  then,  (if  wc  likej  we  can  pass  some  law  hitching 
the  system  on  the  Order.  But  I  candidly  believe  it  will  be  suc- 
cessful only  by  being  conducted  by  an  agent  independent  of  tlic 
State  Grange.  O.  H.  K. 

To  Col.  Sum.  E.  Adams: 

Itasca,  May  8th,  1869. 
My  Dear  Sam.  : 

I  submit  for  your  inspection  and  any  alterations  you  may 

suggest,  the  Funeral  Ceremony.     Now  don't  be  modest ;  make 

alterations  just  where  you  think  they  are  needed.     Keep  it  to 

yourself,  for  I  do  not  want  it  known  so  near  home  at  present 

that  I  am  the  author  of  it.  O.  H.  K. 

For  a  few  weeks  tlie  spring  work  on  the  farm  and 
the  pleasure  of  the  late  trip  had  served  to  make  me 
feel  quite  encouraged.  In  our  office  we  had  com- 
menced sending  short  manuscript  letters  to  editors 
of  western  village  papers,  and  this  was  keeping  my 
Assistant  quite  busy,  while  increasing  correspondence 
was  decidedly  exhilarating.  But  there  is  a  tameness 
in  worldly  matters,  when  devoid  of  excitement. 

The  following  from  Ireland  threw  a  little  music 
in  the  atmosphere : 

Washington,  May  15th,  18G9. 
Dear  Judge  : 

Yours  respecting  the   obligation  of  the  Fifth  Degree  at 

hand.    Nothing  will  be  done  till  we  hear  from  you  respecting 

the  statement  of  receipts  and  expenses  promised.     You  do  not 


j88  Patrons  of  Husbandly. 

seem  to  realize  the  unpleasant  position  you  place  me  in  as  Treas- 
urer, and  all  hands  by  your  dilatory  conduct.  We  may  some 
day  be  called  on  to  account  for  monies  given  us  through  you, 
and  what  kind  of  showing  can  we  make  ? 

The  Executive  Committee  have  met,  and  we  all  determined 
to  drop  the  ivhole  concern,  and  when  we  do,  it  will  be  published 
abroad,  unless  you  come  to  time  in  the  matter.  I,  for  one,  wont 
compromise  my  reputation  in  this  way.  There  is  no  reason  in 
the  world,  except  your  infernal  procrastination,  that  prevents  the 
thing  being  done.  Yours  in  F.  H.  C.  «fc  F., 

W.  M.  Ireland. 
[The  italics  are  mine. — K.] 

If  memory  serves  me  right,  my  comments  upon 
this  letter  were  "loud."  As  to  that  "Executive 
Committee"  '■'■  dropping  the  whole  concern,'^  it  would 
have  reflected  more  in  their  favor,  if  they  had  once 
taken  a  fair,  earnest  hold  of  it.  However,  I  will  not 
give  my  reply,  but  simply  quote  from  the  letter 
which  followed  from  him,  as  I  had  written  him  on 
the  12th  to  send  me  the  forms  he  had  promised,  that 
I  could  make  my  reports  to  meet  his  views. 

Washington,  D.  C,  May  2\st,  1869. 
Dear  Brother  Kellet  : 

Yours  of  12th  at  hand.  I  must  humbly  beg  pardon  for 
my  very  curt  note,  written  some  days  since.  I  had  entirely 
forgotten  my  promise  to  forward  you.  a  form.  I  have  notified 
the  Executive  Committee  that  the  fault  is  entirely  at  my  door, 
and  thus  exonerated  you  from  all  blame.  Will  you  call  it 
square?    Send  me  on  an  account  made  out  in  your  own  way,  of 


UncoM'agUig  Prospects.  i8g 

all  your  receipts  and  expenses,  and  I  will  digest  it  and  arrange 
tlie  items,  and  then  send  it  back  for  your  signature,  with  the 
Order  for  your  endorsement.         *        *        *        * 


To  Ireland  : 


W.  M.  Ireland. 


Itasca,  May  20t7i,  18G9. 


Deaii  Brother  Ireland  : 

Yours  of  21st  received.  Your  apology  for  the  thunder 
and  lightning  note  of  the  IStli  is  accepted.  I  will  most  cheer- 
fully call  it  square. 

I  sent  last  Monday  my  account  to  Brother  Saunders  ;  if  it  has 
not  been  received  will  send  duplicate.  Have  been  and  am  now, 
drove  with  my  farm  work,  and  have  hardly  time  to  eat.  North 
Star  Grange  has  its  new  hall  completed,  and  want  it  dedicated. 
I  have  part  of  the  ceremonies  ready,  but  want  a  paper  that  you 
will  find  among  the  pile  I  left  with  you  in  April,  1868.     *    *    * 

O.  H.  K. 

The  dark  clouds  once  more  scattered.  I  had 
written  to  the  others  at  Washington  relative  to  the 
remark  that  they  would  all  drop  the  Order.  It  was 
evident  any  movement  in  that  direction  could 
materially  injure  me  in  my  work,  though  I  could 
easily  have  dropped  them  at  any  time,  and  substituted 
the  workers  in  Minnesota.  The  answers  to  my 
letters  show  that  it  was  simply  a  ruse  on  the  part  of 
Ireland  to  stir  me  up — the  result  was  visible  for  a 
long  time. 

Doctor  Trimble  wrote  me : 


igo '  Patrons  of  Husbandly. 

Washington,  D.  C,  May  2Wi,  18G9. 
Dear  Kelley  : 

*  *  *  Tell  Saunders  to  call  on  ns  to  meet  regu- 
larly once  or  twice  a  month,  to  see  your  letters  and  hear  sugges- 
tions, etc.  "We  will  do  it.  I  will  see  that  we  all  obey  his  sum- 
mons, if  Tie  will  only  summon  us. 

Tell  your  Niece  if  the  institution  ever  becomes  what  I  think  it 
will,  she  will  be  well  remembered. 

Yours,  etc.,  John  Trimble,  Jr. 

Under  date  of  31st  of  May,  1869, 1  find  a  letter 
from  "\Y.  II.  Stevens,  then  Secretary  of  Fredonia 
Grange,  in  wliicli  tlie  word  "  Granger"  appears, 
the  first  time  I  remember  seeing  it  used. 

From  Ed.  P.  Farris : 

Henry,  III.,  May  2Qth,  1869. 
Brother  Kelley  : 

Yours  of  25tli  instant  is  at  hand.  Am  ready  and  willing 
to  work  on  the  Order,  but  I  am  as  rusty  as  a  beadle.  If  you 
will  send  me  instructions,  I  think,  with  my  present  knowledge 
of  the  subject,  I  will  make  the  thing  a  success  in  this  State.  * 
*        *        *  Ed.  p.  Farris. 

To  Doctor  Trimble,  same  date : 

Dear  Doctor  : 

Have  been  so  busy  planting,  and  other  spring  work,  I 
have  not  had  time  to  attend  to  correspondence,  and  my  official 
matters  have  had  to  be  turned  over  to  my  Niece  to  expedite  busi- 
ness.       *        *        * 

Have  you  got  back  in  the  Department  ?  I  fear  not,  for  once 
out  there  is  a  slim  chance,  as  you  know,  to  be  reinstated.    I 


Encouraging  Prospects.  igi 

would  not  try,  l)iit  clip  into  something  else  ;  if  nothing  better, 
go  for  the  cliiiin  agency  business,  but,  upon  my  word,  Doctor, 
keep  out  of  the  Dcparlmeuts  if  you  can  ;  it  unfits  a  man  for  al/ 
other  business.         *        *        *  O.  II.  K. 


Wm.  Paist,  St.  Paul,  Itasca,  May  27«7i,  1869. 

Secretary  of  State  Grange  : 
WouTHY  Bkotheb  : 

I  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  you  that 
arrangements  are  completed  for  conferring  the  Fifth  Degree  of 
our  Order  at  the  coming  session  of  your  State  Grange,  June 
24th.  You  will  please  give  due  notice  to  the  Subordinate 
Granges  in  your  jurisdiction.  Masters,  Past  Masters,  and  their 
wives  and  daughters,  who  are  members  of  Subordinate  Granges, 
are  entitled  to  the  degree  without  fee.  Any  member  of  a  Sub- 
ordinate Grange,  who  can  pass  an  examination  in  the  four 
degrees,  can  receive  the  fifth,  upon  making  application,  and 
paying  the  sum  of  ten  dollars  for  males,  and  four  dollars  for 
females.  Fees  to  be  paid  in  advance  to  the  Secretary  of  the 
State  Grange.  Yours  fraternally,  O.   H.  K. 

Among  the  letters  came  the  first  from  A.  A.  Petti- 
bone,  of  I^unda,  Illinois,  directed  to  "Wm.  Paist,  St. 
Paul,  June  4th.  I  wrote  him  that  the  letter  had 
been  referred  to  me,  and  commenced  a  correspon- 
dence that  resulted  not  only  in  a  pleasant  acquaint- 
ance, but  in  a  thriving  Grange.  This  afterwards 
was  the  scene  of  the  closing  labors  of  one  deputy, 
and  brought  another  on  the  stage  of  action. 

From  J.  E.  Thompson : 


ig2  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

WAsniKGTON,  D.  C,  June  Gth,  1869. 
Brotber  Kelley  : 

*        *        *        As  no  time  is  to  be  lost,  I  have  hastily 

sketched  out  my  idea  of  a  plan  for  the  Fifth  Degree,  which  I 

have  to-daj"^  submitted  to  Brothers  Grosh  and  Trimble,  and  they 

unite  in  approbating.     I  hurry  this  forward  to  you  at  Itasca,  and 

will  send  the  addresses  of  the  Overseer,  Lecturer,  Master  and 

Pomona,  obligation,  sign,  etc.,  by  Tuesday,  the  16th.     *      *      * 

J.  R.  Thompson. 

It  will  be  seen  that  I  had  completed  this  degree 
some  time  prior  to  the  receipt  of  this,  but  as  the 
plan  of  Brother  Thompson  was  so  much  like  my 
original,  the  honors  are  easy.  The  very  essential 
parts  that  were  to  follow  by  the  16th,  have  not 
arrived  up  to  date  of  my  present  writing. 

From  McDowell : 

Wayne,  N.  T.,  June  10th,  1869. 
My  Dear  Kelley  : 

Yours  of  May  26th,  enclosing  a  bit  of  history,  came  duly 

to  hand.     I  have  also  received  two  letters,  one   from  Joseph 

Seymour,  of  Syracuse,  and  the  other  from  Brother  Grosh,  sent 

by  you.     Brother  Grosh's  letter  is  a  model  for  good  sense  and 

suggestion,  and  is  worthy  of  much  consideration,  particularly 

with  regard  to  the  jewels,  and  the  revenue  to  be  derived  from 

them  by  the  National  and  State  Granges.         *        *        *        j 

notice,  upon  reading  Mr.  Seymour's  letter  again,  that  he  requires 

only  a  guarantee  tliat  he  alone  shall  have  the  furnisliing  of  them 

—provided  there  is  a  prospect  of  a  goodly  number  being  wanted— 

to  go  on  at  the  proper  time  and  cut  the  dies.     The  matter,  as 


Encouraging  Prospects.  /pj 

he  says,  should  be  well  digoRtod  before  commencing  to  cut  the 
dies.  *  *  *  Brother  Grosh  is  also  sound  on  the 
salary  question  for  officers  of  State  and  National  Granges. 
When  the  thing  gets  to  running  well,  we  can  afford  it. 

F.  M.  McD. 

From  Saunders: 

Washington,  D.  C,  June  IGth,  18G9. 
Brother  Kellet  : 

I  have  been  engaged  so  closely  in  getting  the  planting 

completed,  that  I  have  not  written  a  dozen  lines  in  three  weeks. 

Out  in  the  grounds  from  morning  till  night.     In  a  short  time  I 

will  settle  down  to  uiy  summer  routine,  and  will  strive  to  assist 

you.     It  is  a  constant  source  of  annoyance  to  me  that  i  do  so 

little  to  help  you. 

Wilson  went  a  month  ago,  full  charged,  to  Iowa.  I  received 
the  paper  and  envelopes,  and  signed  and  mailed  the  commissions 
next  day  after  I  received  them  from  you.  I  have  sent  j'-our 
account  to  Ireland,  and  called  a  meeting  of  the  National  Grange, 
to  take  various  matters  into  consideration. 

I  am  delighted  to  learn  that  you  are  sending  garden  crops  to 
market.  I  sincerely  hope  that  your  receipts  will  be  satisfactory, 
for  I  can  assure  you  nothing  can  give  me  more  pleasure  than  to 
hear  of  your  success  and  welfare.  *  *  *  There  has 
been  many  changes,  and  much  weeping  and  wailing  in  the 
Departments,  and  the  end  is  not  yet. 

Yours  sincerely,  William  Saunders. 

From  Rev.  A.  B.  Grosli : 

Washington,  D.  C,  June  IGth,  1869. 
O.  H.  Kelley  : 

Oh  !  thou  patient,  long  suffering,  much  forbearing  Grand 

Secretary,  how  ill  requited  have  been  thy  long  waiting  on  me 

13 


1^4-  Patrom  of  Hitsbandiy. 

and  thy  many  flxvors,  and  yet  -what  can  I  say  in  excuse  ?    *    *    * 
Grand  Master  Saunders  is  very  deliberate  in  acting,  so  that  it 
may  be  some  time  before  your  proposition  comes  before  us  in 
proper  form.  *  *  * 

From  J.  E.  Thompson : 

Washington,  D.  C,  June  \Wii  1869. 
Dear  Brother  : 

I  am  this  morning  in  receipt  of  a  communication  of 
Kalmar  Grange,  No.  9,  under  date  of  May  15th,  transmitting 
resolution  of  that  Grange  in  relation  to  abridgment  of  Ritual. 
By  direction  of  the  Worthy  Master,  I  have  convened  the 
National  Grange  at  his  office,  Wednesday  the  23d  instant,  when 
the  communication  will  be  duly  considered,  and  the  result  imme- 
diately communicated  to  you. 

Very  truly  yours,  on  the  sickle,  J.  R.  Thompson. 

To  McDowell : 

Itasca,  June  20tA,  1869. 
Brother  McDowell  : 

At  this  time  I  am  busy  writing  up  the  work  unfinished, 
when  I  started  out  to  organize  over  a  year  ago,  and  getting 
everything  ready  and  in  business  shape,  so  as  to  be  ready  by  the 
coming  fall,  to  rush  the  work  ahead.  Of  course,  at  this  season 
there  is  little  doing  in  the  way  of  organizing,  and  now  is  the 
time  every  member  of  the  National  Grange  should  be  active  in 
advertising  the  Ordor.  I  feel  the  need  of  their  assistance  in  this 
respect.  I  cannot  do  it  alone.  Another  item— I  must  have 
some  money  from  some  source.  I  am  compelled  to  spend  every 
dollar  I  can  raise  to  push  the  work  ahead,  until  I  am  embarrass- 
ing myself. 
You  told  me  when  I  left  you,  that  in  case  of  an  emerg&Hcy,  I 


Encouraging  Prospects.  /pj 

could  draw  on  you  for  $40  or  $."J0.  I  don't  know  of  a  more 
acceptable  time,  and  if  you  can  conveniently  send  me  a  draft,  as 
a  loan  to  the  National  Grange,  I  will  give  you  credit  accordingly. 
I  have  had  the  audacity  to  write  to  my  friend  Falkstone  to  assist 
also.  If  he  comes  down  with  his  usual  $100  spot,  I  will  be  in 
bliss.  I  don't  want  to  crowd  him  too  much,  for  we  have  use  of 
him  by  and  by.  Hereafter,  I  intend  to  keep  an  accurate  account 
of  all  the  money  I  advance, — something  I  have  heretofore 
omitted  to  do. 

We  must  raise  funds  to  publish  our  new  Manual,  and  we  have 
got  to  have  the  Manuals,  or  else  we  cannot  organize.  *  *  * 
When  we  commence  organizing,  after  harvest,  I  believe  we 
shall  rush  ahead  lively,  provided  all  of  you  take  hold  and  help 
advertise  the  Order.  See  that  all  newspapers  in  your  vicinity 
publish  articles.     I  have  seen  nothing  in  them  yet.       *       *       * 

I  purchased  two  hundred  copies  of  the  St.  Paul  papers,  con- 
taining the  account  of  the  opening  of  the  new  hall  of  North 
Star  Grange,  and  am  sending  them  out.  Hardly  a  day  but  we 
send  off  circulars  to  some  new  quarter.  If  all  the  rest  of  the 
National  Grange  will  dip  in  likewise,  we  wont  be  long  without 
membership.  Then  we  will  have  funds  enough,  but  just  at  this 
time  we  are  sadly  in  need  of  pecuniary  aid,  for  want  of  which 
■we  are  injuring  our  cause.     Yours  in  haste,  0.  H.  K. 

From  Gen.  Wm.  Duane  Wilson: 

Des  Moines,  Iowa,  June  21«<,  1869. 
O.  H.  Kelley  : 

My  Dear  Friend  : 

Ever  since  my  return  home  I  have  been  afflicted 
with  the  neuralgia.  *  *  *  From  present  appear- 
ances it  is  probable  I  shall  become  the  proprietor  of  the  '^  Home- 


ig6  Patrons  of  Husba7tdty. 

stead  and  Farm  Journal.''''  In  that  case  I  can  do  but  little  in 
establishing  Granges,  further  than  to  push  the  cause  along  in  the 
paper.        *        «        *  "Wm.  Duanb  Wilson. 

From  Saunders : 

Washington,  June  26<A,  1869. 
Worthy  Brother  Kellet  : 

We  had  a  meeting— an  informal  one— of  the  National 
Grange,  one  day  the  beginning  of  the  week.  The  request  of 
Kalmar  Grange,  for  an  abbreviation  of  the  Ritual,  was  before  us, 
and  your  answer  was  approved.  It  is  the  opinion  of  the  National, 
that  before  any  prominent  alterations  are  made  in  the  Ritual,  the 
sentiments  of  the  entire  Order  must  be  ascertained,  and  their 
wishes  in  the  matter  consulted. 

About  changing  the  headquarters  of  the  Order,  it  is  considered 
very  injudicious  to  even  hint  at  anything  of  the  kind  at  present. 
If  a  geographical  centre  is  to  be  chosen,  we  would  have  to  go 
west  to  Omaha,  or  thereabouts ;  but  Washington  is  our  best 
centre  at  present.  There  is  no  objection,  however,  for  you  to 
locate  wherever  you  may  think  best. 

We  are  anxious  to  know  if  any  of  the  Deputies  have  reported 
to  you.  Have  you  heard  anything  of  Wilson  ?  He  went  to 
Iowa,  but  we  have  heard  nothing  fi"om  him.  These  Specials 
must  be  looked  after,  otherwise  they  may  give  us  trouble.  A 
Charter  will  be  drawn  up  and  got  ready  without  delay. 

With  regard  to  getting  a  notice  in  the  monthly  report  of  the 
Department,  the  only  proper  way  is  for  some  one  of  the  Granges, 
or  some  one  in  the  name  of  the  Order,  to  send  some  statistical 
matter  or  report  worthy  of  insertion,  and  get  the  Patrons  intro- 
duced in  that  way.  It  will  not  do  to  make  any  other  attempt  to 
push  into  the  Department,  and  this  is  not  only  feasible,  but  will 
show  what  the  Order  means  to  do. 


Encouraging  Prospects.  jgj 

I  am  still  very  busy.  *  *  *  Brother  Grosli  is 
appointed  a  committee  to  audit  your  accounts.  Hoping  that 
yourself  and  fomily  are  in  the  best  of  health, 

I  am  yours  truly,  Wm.  Saunders. 

To  John  X.  Davidson,  St.  Paul : 

Itasca,  July  1st,  1869. 
Brother  John  X. : 

I  want  to  make  arrangements  with  you   to  publish  the 

Manuals  of  our  Order.     Captain  Davis  made  a  rough  estimate 

upon  it  in  April.     I  would  like  to  have  you  get  out  an  edition  of 

two  thousand  topics,  and  hold  the  same,  to  be  paid  for  as  I  need 

them  for  the  Granger.     We  shall  want,  from  five  to  ten  dollars 

worth  at  a  time,  and  will  pay  the  money  as  I  take  the  books. 

Some  one  must  do  the  work,  and  it  is  left  with  me  to  get  them 

printed.     As  your  establishment  is  already  in  "up  to  the  neck," 

I  think  you  had  better  take  this  job  also,  and  "go  in  all  under." 

Will  you  print  them  ?  Yours,  0.  H,  K. 

To  this  question,  my  old  friend  replied,  "All 
right;  hand  in  your  copy;  I  will  do  the  work  on 
your  private  account."  This  was  encouraging.  I 
had  got  tired  ot  writing,  soliciting  funds  from  any 
of  my  associates,  and  I  was  getting  pretty  well  satis- 
fied all  the  assistance  I  was  to  receive  would  come 
from  the  West. 

From  Brother  Thompson  : 

Washington,  D.  C,  July  dd,  1869. 
My  Dear  Kelley  : 

*        *        *         I  am  pleased   to  learn  that    the   Fifth 
Degree  passed  off  to  your  satisfaction  and  the  acceptance  of  the 


igS  Pati-ons  of  Husbandly. 

State  Grange.  I  am  a  little  mystified  by  your  account  of  it, 
however,  Wherein  thunder  did  you  get  the  T.  and  L.,  and 
where  did  the  A.  come  from?  There  was  nothing  of  the  kind 
in  the  sketch  that  I  sent  you,  although  you  were  at  liberty  to 
accept  it  or  not,  as  you  thought  best.  Please  send  me  a  copy  of 
the  degree  as  conferred.        *        *        * 

Visit  the  Kalmar  Pic-Xic  by  all  means,  and  if  you  have  not 
entire  confidence  in  your  ability  as  an  extempore  speaker,  let 
your  address  be  written  out,  well  prepared  and  tolerably  familiar 
with  it.  I  predict  that  you  will  prove  a  success  as  an  essayist 
and  lecturer.  At  the  recent  meeting  of  the  National  Grange,  I 
was  charged  with  preparing  a  form  for  a  Charter,  which  I  will 
send  you  as  soon  as  ready,  together  with  some  corrections  in  the 
Ritual.     Will  send  them  in  a  week  or  ten  days  at  farthest  * 

*        *        *        Let  us  hear  from  you  as  occasion  requires. 

J.  R.  TnoiiPSON. 

I  had  received  the  invitation  referred  to  above, 
from  Kalmar  Grange,  Ko.  9,  in  our  State,  to  deliver 
an  oration.  I  mentioned  it  in  my  letter  to  Thomp- 
son as  a  good  joke,  as  it  ^-as  something  I  knew 
myself  unfitted  for.  However,  I  had  to  learn  all 
ahout  everything  connected  with  the  Order,  and 
following  his  advice,  set  myself  at  work  to  prepare 
the  oration.  I  was  not  many  days  putting  some 
items  together  that  would  be  instructive,  and  setting 
forth  the  objects  of  the  organization.  Xext  I  com- 
menced preparing  to  deliver  it.  The  first  thing  was 
to  prune  it  down  from  an  hour  to  thirty  minutes  in 
length;  then  to  practice  in  the  reading  and  oratori- 


Encon7'aging  Prospects.  jgg 

cal  exercise.  I  had  nearly  committed  it  to  memory, 
but  knew  very  well  as  soon  as  I  should  rise  before 
an  audience  of  over  twenty  persons,  every  word 
would  fly  from  my  mind.  Hence  I  determined  to 
rely  upon  my  manuscript.  One  afternoon,  my 
family  being  away  from  home,  I  repaired  to  the  barn 
for  active  practice.  My  nearest  neighbor  lived  half 
a  mile  away,  so  I  felt  secure  from  interruption,  even 
should  my  stentorian  lungs  make  the  grove  ring. 
I  intended  to  practice  for  an  audience  of  ten  thou- 
sand— either  a  success  or  a  failure — but  whichever, 
it  should  be  on  a  grand  scale. 

On  the  threshing  floor  I  placed  an  empty  barrel, 
and  on  that  a  box,  and  on  that  I  placed  the  manu- 
script speech  I  intended  to  empty  upon  the  audi- 
ence. I  commenced  reading  aloud,  gradually  in- 
creasing in  voice,  until  I  worked  myself  up  to  a 
frenzy  of  excitement  that  would  have  made  a 
Booth  weep.  The  poultry,  languidly  scratching 
around  the  barn  that  summer  afternoon,  began  to 
prick  up  their  ears  and  show  indications  of  an 
appreciation  of  the  noise  at  any  rate,  while  the  old 
farm  dog  came  to  me,  evidently  in  sympathy,  or  try- 
ing to  cool  down  my  unusual  excitement;  but  I 
heeded  nothing  until  I  had  finished  my  peroratior , 
and  was  about  to  sit  down,  when  immediately  an 
old  rooster,  that  had  been  eyeing  me  sideways  for 


200  Patrons  of  Hiisbandry. 

the  last  five  minutes,  clapped  liis  wings  and  crowed 
most  lustily ! 

That  was  perhaps  a  good  omen,  but  I  am  satisfied 
it  was  all  the  crowing  the  speech  ever  elicited.  I 
went  to  the  meeting,  (the  pic-nic  had  been  aban- 
doned); I  read  my  remarks  very  tamely,  and 
returned  home  well  satisfied  that  speech-making  was 
not  my  forte. 

It  may  be  Irish,  but  I  merely  wish  to  say  to  the 
reader,  if  the  above  account  is  not  interestino-  and 
sufficiently  dignified,  he  can  omit  it,  and  follow 
with  this 

From  Brother  Saunders : 

Washington,  D.  C,  July  12th,  1869. 
Worthy  Brother  O.  H.  Kelley  : 

The  Fifth  Degree  has  come  to  hand,  and  will  be  perused, 
and  the  result  communicated  as  soon  as  the  weather  will  permit. 
You  must  know  that  with  the  thermometer  at  99^,  we  must 
necessarily  read  by  small  installments. 

The  Monthly  Statement  also  came  through,  and  I  have  sent  it 
to  Brother  Ireland.  Give  my  regards  to  all  your  family,  not 
forgetting  our  valuable  sister,  the  Under-Secretary. 

Yours  warmly,  Wm.  Saunders. 

I  wrote  Saunders : 

^^  ,,  July  16t7i,  1869. 

Worthy  Master  : 

We  are  desirous  of  sending  to  each  country  editor  in  the 
United  States,  a  letter,  with  a  circular;  asking  their  co-operation 


Eiicoiwaging  Prospects.  201 

in  the  work.  I  submit  the  following  for  the  inspection  of  the 
Executive  Committee,  either  to  revise,  correct,  or  substitute. 
riease  return  at  your  earliest  convenience.  O.  H.  K. 

At  this  time  Miss  Hall  was  writing  short  letters 
of  half  a  page  letter  sheet,  to  editors  in  the  "Western 
States,  the  circulation  of  whose  papers  did  not 
exceed  one  thousand  copies,  with  the  hope  of  secur- 
ing their  interest  in  our  work,  and  bring  the  Order 
to  the  attention  of  those  residing  in  the  small  towns 
in  their  vicinity.  From  her  daily  journal,  I  find  she 
was  averaging  in  July,  August,  and  September, 
about  fifteen  per  day,  besides  other  writing.  These 
communications  soon  brought  letters  of  inquiry,  and 
while  pecuniary  results  were  not  over  flattering,  we 
found  many  words  of  encouragement  from  our  new 
correspondents. 

To  McDowell: 

July  Z\st,  1869. 
My  Deak  McDowell  : 

*  *  *  Only  think,  my  dear  fellow,  one  j'ear 
ao'o  Miss  Carrie,  and  myself  and  daughter,  were  the  only 
Patrons  in  this  State,  and  we  were  almost  begging  persons  to 
help  get  up  the  first  grange.  During  this  month  four  Dispensa- 
tions have  been  issued,  and  the  receipts  of  the  National  Grange 
have  been  $80,  and  this  in  a  month  when  farmers  are  drove 
with  work.  *  *  *  j  organized  a  Grange  night 

before  last  at  Richfield  ;  to-day  I  have  an  invitation  to  visit  and 
work  with  Montlcello  Grange,  fourteen  miles  distant,  and  next 


202  Patrons  of  Hiisba'ddry. 

Wednesday  go  to  Enterprise,  in  tlie  soutliern  part  of  the  State, 
to  organize  there.         *        *        *        * 

Tlie  richest  thing  out  is  this  :  Tlie  North-western  Chronicle, 
a  Romisli  Church  paper,  has  got  alarmed  at  our  progress,  and 
has  come  out,  dead  shot,  against  the  Order.  *  *  * 

I  do  not  intend  to  reply,  but  rather  urge  them  to  keep  up  the 
attack,  for  it  will  help  advertise  us  all  over  the  countr3^  I  send 
you  copies,  and  beg  of  you  to  get  some  articles  published  in  the 
Bath  papers.  O.  H.  K. 

At  this  date  we  had  in  all,  TLcentu-five  Granges  in 
the  United  States.  ISTorth  Star  Grange,  in  St.  Paul, 
with  the  stimulus  given  by  the  State  Grange,  had  a 
marked  eifect,  for  nearly  all  connected  with  those 
Granges  were  interesting  themselves  in  spreading 
information  relative  to  the  aims  and  principles  of 
the  Order,  while  those  members  of  other  Granges 
in  the  State  were  not  idle.  Prominent  among  others 
were  Col.  D.  A.  Robertson,  who  had  established  the 
3finnesota  Monthly,  as  the  organ  of  the  State  Grange 
and  the  Order  generally,  and  Capt.  "William  Paist, 
Secretary  of  the  State  Grange.  He  opened  an 
office  at  St.  Paul,  where  we  made  our  head- 
quarters for  business  when  in  the  city,  and  none 
ever  called  upon  him  without  receiving  a  genial 
welcome. 

In  regard  to  Jewels,  I  received  the  following 
from  Brother  Seymour: 


Encouraging  Prospects.  20J 

Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  July  20th,  18G9. 
O.  n.  Kelley, — Deau  Siu  : 

I  am  this  moment  in  receipt  of  your  fiivor  of  tlie  2Cth, 
and  hasten  to  reply,  that  I  tliiuk  your  idea  of  Rustic  letters— the 
initials  of  the  officers— for  emblems,  a  good  one,  and  will  add  an 
idea  of  my  own, — that  they  be  placed  within  a  rustic  square 
representing  a  field.  This  die  for  the  square  may  be  got  up  to 
correspond  with  the  letters,  the  whole  to  be  struck  off  in  the  best 
of  Albata  silver,  and  plated  with  fine  silver.  The  square  and  letters 
to  have  eyes,  like  a  button,  to  sew  on  to  the  regalia  ;  the  inside  of 
the  square  to  be  green,  representing  the  green  field.  The  square 
and  letters  for  Subordinate  Granges  to  be  silver  ;  for  State,  gold 
(gilt).  This  will  make  a  very  beautiful  and  entirely  difFei'ent 
official  emblem  from  any  other  Society.  *         *         *  * 

The  more  I  think  of  your  idea,  the  better  and  more  appro- 
priate it  looks  to  me.  Jos.  Seymour. 

The  new  Granges  were  already  calling  for  para- 
phernalia and  forms,  and  asking  innumerable  ques- 
tion requiring  prompt  replies,  many  of  which  were 
entirely  new  to  my  assistant  and  myself.  We  were 
however  securing  new  counsellors,  and  having 
advantage  of  daily  experience.  Letters  from  the 
East  were  beginning  to  be  less  frequent,  and  we 
were  having  sufficient  work  to  keep  our  minds  en- 
gaged nearer  home. 

To  Saunders: 

Itasca,  August  8th,  1869. 
Dear  Brother  Saunders: 

I  enclose  vouchers  which  should  have  been  sent  with  the 

July  Report,  but  were  overlooked  when  I  closed  my  letter.     I 


204-  Patrons  of  Husbandly. 

beg  of  you  call  the  Executive  Committee  together  at  least  once 
a  week,  to  attend  to  the  items  I  send.  They  may  appear  of 
little  account  to  you,  but  are  of  moment  to  the  Order  at  large. 
Please  fire  a  shot  at  Brother  Thompson  for  neglect  to  reply  to 
my  letters.  Six  weeks  ago  he  wrote  me  he  would  send  certain 
documents  within  ten  days.  I  haven't  seen  them  yet.  I  beg  of 
you  all  to  keep  the  wheels  in  motion.  Brains,  not  dollars,  is  all 
I  ask  of  you.  O.  H.  K. 

To  Geo.  D.  Hinckley: 

Itasca,  August  9t7i,  1869. 
Dear  Brother  Hinckley  : 

Yours  of  2d  received,  and  I  most  heartily  endorse  your 

views  relative  to  the  character  of  men  wanted  as  Special  Deputies. 

*  *  *  If  we  could  have  fifteen  or  twenty  live  men, 
such  as  you  would  select,  at  work  in  the  Eastern  and  Middle 
States,  this  fall  and  winter,  the  Order  could  be  spread  to  advan- 
tage. *  *  *  Tiie  new  edition  of  the  Manual  is  now 
in  the  hands  of  the  printer. 

Please  send  me,  in  due  time,  a  list  of  the  seeds  you  can  furnish 
Granges  for  next  spring  planting,  and  the  prices  at  which  they 
will  be  furnished,  C.  0.  D.  That  little  feature  will  take  among 
members.  *  *  *  j  j^^ve  issued  dispensations  to  six 
new  Granges  during  the  past  four  weeks,  in  this  Slate,  and  our 
Deputies  here  are  planning  for  a  big  harvest  this  fall  and  winter. 
The  fees  allowed  to  Deputies  is  an  inducement  to  work  lively. 

*  *        *  O.  H.  K. 

To  Gen.  "\Vm.  Duane  Wilson : 

Itasca,  August  9th,  1869. 
Dear  General  : 

I  am  surprised  at  your  silence.         *         *         *        Have 

you  decided  to  take  the  Iowa  Uomestead?    Please  write  me  a 


Encouraging  Prospects.  20^ 

good  long  letter.  I  have  several  applications  for  Deputies  who 
want  to  take  Iowa  to  work  in,  but  I  tell  them  you  have  full 
control  there,  (provided  you  commence  soon).  O.  H.  K. 

From  J.  R.  Thompson : 

WAsniNGTON,  D.  C,  August  \^tli,  18G9. 
My  Much-abused,  Long-neglected,  but 

EVEK-ESTEEMED  FrIEND  KeLLEY  : 

I  have  at  hist  obtained  a  copy  of  Ritual,  which  I 
have  looked  through  carefully,  and  herewith  hand  you  such  cor- 
rections and  suggestions  as  occurred  to  me.  I  am  more  than 
ever  before  pleasantly  and  profoundly  impressed  with  the  beauty 
and  appropriateness  of  the  various  lectures  and  addressea. 
Most  of  them  are  gems,  and  will  rank  high  in  comparison  with 
Manual  of  any  other  Order. 

A  meeting  of  the  National  Grange  has  been  called  for  Monday 
P.  M.  next,  immediately  after  which  you  may  expect  to  hear 
from  us  again.  But  I  will  make  no  more  excuses  nor  promises, 
until  I  have  done  work  meet  for  repentance.  Meanwhile,  I  am 
very  fraternally  your  friend  and  (disobedient  servant, 

J.  R.  Thompson. 

Assuming  responsibility,  frequently,  I  found  did 
not  come  amiss,  and  in  doing  wliicli  I  was  encour- 
aged by  my  intimate  associates  in  Minnesota.  I 
wrote  August  23d,  to 

Brother  Paist, — 

Secretary  of  State  Orange : 

Will  you  please  correspond  with  your  Subordinate 
Secretaries,  and  state  that  the  National  Grange    desires    their 


2o6  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

respective  Granges  to  establish  monthly  market  days,  which 
shall  be  free  to  the  public,  and  where  persons  having  stock,  or 
anything  else  to  sell,  can  meet  regularly  for  that  purpose.  Sec- 
retaries will  be  required  to  report  sales  made,  to  the  nearest 
newspaper,  according  to  forms  that  will  be  furnished  them,  and 
copies  of  the  papers  to  be  forwarded  to  distant  Granges  in  the 
State,  thus  bringing  them  into  direct  correspondence  with  each 
other,  and  keeping  members  familiar  with  the  supply,  demand 
and  prices.  As  to  the  days,  let,  for  instance,  Glencoe  select 
November  1st,  to  begin  with,  and  thereafter  every  fourth  Mon- 
day ;  Hutchinson,  being  in  the  same  neighborhood,  could  set 
Monday,  November  8th,  and  thereafter  every  fourth  Monday, 
while  Newport  could  take  Monday  the  1st,  and  North  Star  every 
fourth  Saturday.  We  want  to  commence  the  arrangement 
November  1st,  and  as  soon  as  each  Grange  has  established  its 
day,  have  the  list  published  in  full.     This  means  "biz,"  and 

you  will  find  them  become  popular.        *        *        * 

O.  H.  K. 

From  McDowell : 

Watne,  August  21tn,  1869. 
My  Dear  Kellet  : 

Your  last  letter  to  me  I  see  is  dated  one  month  ago  to  day. 
It  does  not  seem  possible  for  this  to  be  true,  yet  your  figures 
say  so.  *  *  *  Keep  me  posted  in  what  you  are 
doing.        *       *       *  F.  M.  McDowell. 

The  designs  for  our  jewels  were  drawn  August 
25tli,  by  my  brother,  William  H.,  copying  from  a 
twig  of  scrub  oak  to  get  the  frame.  So  exact  were 
these  copied  l)y  Mr.   Seymour,  that  errors  in  the 


Encouraging  Prospects.  soy 

pencilling  were  shown  in  the  dies.     September  2d, 
18G9,  I  received  the  following  from  Syracuse,  N.  Y. 

O.  H.  Kelley,— Dear  Sir  : 

Your  favor  is  at  hand.  We  have  sent  the  drawings 
to  our  die  cutter  and  he  will  make  an  estimate  of  the  cost  of  dies. 
Mr.  Seymour,  Sr.,  started  for  California  last  evening. 

Jos  Seymour,  Jr. 

To  McDowell : 

Itasca,  September  5t7i,  1869. 
My  Dear  McDowell  : 

Yours  of  27th  ult.,  received  yesterday.  Your  long  silence 
has  heen  noticed,  but  is  equalled  by  that  of  our  brothers  at 
Washington.  They  take  fits  of  writing  semi-occasionally,  and, 
for  a  wonder,  with  yours  came  one  from  Brother  Thompson. 
However,  all  are  excusable,  as  none  are  expected  to  take  the 
same  interest  in  the  work  that  I  do.  This  will  change  as  the 
Order  increases  in  strength,  but  it  seems  to  me  that  every  one 
connected  with  the  National  Grange  ought  to  feel  it  a  duty  to 
keep  the  Order  before  the  people,  by  short  articles  in  the  news- 
papers. As  yet  I  fail  to  see  much  of  anything  except  what  I 
furnish  myself. 

The  documents  referred  to  ought  to  be  translated  and  put  in 
shape  now  while  I  can  spare  the  time,  for  as  soon  as  harvest  is 
over,  every  moment  of  my  time  will  be  occupied  in  organizing. 
Falkstone  is  West  somewhere  ;  but  where,  I  have  no  knowledge. 

We  have  been  busy  of  late  in  writing  letters  and  enclosing 
circulars  to  editors  in  the  Western  States.  It  is  a  long  job,  there 
being  over  1600  letters  to  write.  We  are  now  on  Indiana. 
*  *  *  I  think  I  have  got  the  work  of  organizing 
Subordinate  and  State   Grangoe  pretty  well  systematized,  and 


2o8  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

shall  give  it  my  personal  attention,  as  Miss  Carrie  can  readily 
attend  to  the  business  here  in  my  absence. 

A  Chicao-o  religious  paper  gives  us  blazes  in  a  three  column 
article.  I  send  a  copy,  via  Saunders,  to  you.  The  more  they 
"cuss"  the  better  we  shall  be  advertised,  and  at  no  expense 
to  us.  ^-  H-  i^- 

To  Ireland : 

Itasca,  Minn.,  Septemher  IWt,,  1809. 
WoitTHY  Brother  : 

Your  favor  of  5th  instant,  relative  to  the  neglect  of  Sub- 
ordinate Granges  to  make  their  Quarterly  Reports  to  your  office, 
has  been  received  and  referred  to  Brother  Wm.  Paist,  Secretary 
of  the  State  Grange  of  Minnesota,  -wiUi  the  request  that  it 
receive  attention.  O.  H.  K. 

From  Brother  McDowell : 

Wayne,  N.  Y.,  September  11th,  186-9. 
My  Dear  Kelley: 

*  *  *  I  have  been  a  little  remiss  of  late,  vpill  do 
better  in  future.  *  *  *         We  must  take  up  your 

suggestion  of  a  National  Fair  when  we  get  together  next 
winter  ;  there  is  time  enough  yet,  but  we  must  keep  the  subject 
always  warm.  F.  M.  McDowell. 

Itasca,  September  23d,  1860. 
To  (lie  Executive  Committee  of  the  National  Grange : 
Worthy  Brothers  : 

There  is  a  strong  desire  in  the  Subordinate  Granges 
to  have  the  Constitution  altered,  and  make  tliree  or  more  ballots 
necessary  to  reject  a  candidate.    I  enclose  a  letter  from  Brother 


Encouraging  Prospects.  2cg 

Sam.  E.  Adams,  Master  of  Monticello  Grange,  for  your  perusal.  I 
want  this  matter  attended  to  immediately,  as  I  am  all  out  of 
Constitutions,  and  under  the  necessity  of  having  the  fourth 
edition  printed  rigid  away,  but  if  any  alteration  is  made  I  want 
it  to  appear  in  this  edition.  Now  I  beg  of  you  come  to  time  in 
this,  and  don't  stop  me  in  my  progress  by  the  usual  neglect.  It 
is  almighty  provoking  to  send  important  letters  to  you  and  get 
no  reply.  The  second  edition  of  the  Manual  is  completed,  and 
copies  of  it  will  be  sent  you  as  soon  as  they  can  be  bound.  I 
expect  to  be  at  Rochester  to  attend  the  State  Fair  next  week, 
and  make  arrangements  for  extensive  organizing  this  fall  and 
winter,  and  I  hope  to  liear  that  you  are  all  doing  something  to 
bring  the  Order  before  the  public. 

The  Fifth  Degree  was  sent  you  in  July,  early,  but  has  not 
yet  been  returned.  The  State  Grange  of  Minnesota  meets  at 
Rochester  next  week,  but  your  delay  prevents  the  degree  being 
conferred.  Yours  truly,  O.  H.  K. 

From  Saunders: 

Washington,  Sejyiember  21st,  1869. 
Dear  Sir  : 

I  have  just  returned  from  a  week's  absence  from  home. 

and  find  your  letters  and  paper.     I  am  very  busy.      *        *        * 

I  am  sorry  that  I  cannot  find  time  to  attend  to  the  interests  of 

the  Order,  but  I  cannot  do  it.      I  might  as  well  try  to  study 

Sanscrit  or  Greek.     I  cannot  keep  track  of  these  things. 

Yours  truly,  William  Saunders. 

October  found  me  full  of  business,  and  arrano-ino- 

work  for  the  several  Deputies  I  had  secured.     On 

the  5th  of  October,  I  opened  correspondence  with 
14 


2IO  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 


Doctor  W.  II.  Buriiham,  of  Wisconsin,  relative  to 
establisliing  tlie  Order  in  that  State. 

To  Saunders: 

OctoUr  12t7i,  1889. 
Dear  Saunders : 

I  have  just  returned  from  a  trip  of  a  week,  preparatory  to 

going  into  the  fall  and  winter  work  of  organizing.     I  have  got 

the  "Patrons"  pretty  well  advertised.         *        *        *        * 

I  enclose  by  this  mail  a  copy  of  the  new  edition  of  Manual. 
As  soon  as  the  binder  can  finish  copies  for  each  of  you,  in 
green  and  gold,  I  will  send  them. 

I  do  not  expect  you  to  answer  all  my  letters  by  a  gteat  deal. 
Turn  them  over  to  Thompson,  our  Acting  Secretary,  and  make 
him  come  to  time.  I  shall  leave,  one  week  from  to-day,  health 
permitting,  and  go  into  the  work  lively.  My  worthy  Assistant 
will  attend  to  business  in  my  absence.  O.  H.  K. 

My  working  Deputies  at  this  time  comprised 
D.  R.  Farnham,  Rockford,  Minn.,  and  Rev.  Z. 
Cook,  Northfield,  Minn.,  and  when  I  had  left  home 
we  had  issued  in  all  thirty  Dispensations. 

I  had  been  informed  by  some  one  that  Brother 
Grosh  was  dead,  and  immediately  wrote  Bro.  Saun- 
ders to  ascertain  if  or  no  it  was  true.  I  also  sent 
some  appointments  of  Deputies  for  him  to  sign 
and  seal.     His  reply  was  as  follows : 

Washington,  D.  C,  October  2Wi,  1869. 
Brother  Kellet  : 

Brother  Grosh  is  not  dead,  nor  has  he  been  ailing  at  all 
this  summer.     You  must  not  kill  our  folks  in  that  way. 


Encouraging  Prospects.  211 

I  have  signed  and  sealed  all  the  appointments,  and  dispatched 
them  at  once.  I  have  just  returned  from  North  Carolina.  It  is 
a  fine  country  down  there,  and  a  fine  people.  A  little  too  much 
darkey,  perhaps,  but  brighter  days  are  in  store. 

With  attending  fairs  and  societies,  and  preparing  the  Annual 
Report,  I  have  been  quite  engaged. 

You  are  still  driving  on,  and  will  make  your  Order  go.  I  call 
it  your  Order,  as  you  not  only  conceived  the  idea,  but  are  making 
it  go  "unaided  and  alone." 

I  receive  an  occasional  letter  asking  for  information,  all  of 
which  I  answer. 

Hoping  you  are  all  well,  I  am  yours  truly, 

William  Saunders. 

On  a  trip  to  E"orthern  Iowa,  I  wrote  Brother 
Grosh,  October  22d,  asking  a  general  letter  of  intro- 
duction from  him  as  a  prominent  member  of  the 
Odd  Fellows,  thinking  it  might  be  of  service  while 
I  would  be  traveling,  as  I  had  now  determined  to 
start  out  and  see  what  I  could  do  for  the  Order  as  a 
deputy  at  large.  On  the  27th  I  received  his  favor. 
Also  a  letter  in  which  he  says: 

I  really  wish  I  could  do  more  to  advance  and  increase  the  Granges 
and  Patrons,  but  I  see  no  way  to  do  it,  and  I  presume  the  other 
members  of  the  National  Grange  find  the  same  difficulties  I  do. 
There  should  be  many  Granges  organized  in  all  the  States  around 
the  Capitol,  and  could  be  if  we  had  some  active  general  dep- 
uty, like  yourself,  at  work.  But  where  to  find  him  is  the 
question.         *         *         * 

Heaven  speed  you  in  your  mission,  and  when  you  go  among 


212 


Patrons  of  Husbandry. 


Odd  Fellows  please  call  their  attention  to  "Grosli's  Manual." 
as  a  standard  tcork  in  the  Order,  and  eminently  needed  by  every 
Odd  Fellow.         *        *        *  A.  B.  Gkosh. 


My  correspondence  with  Doctor  E.  L.  Enos,  of 
Cedar  Rapids,  Iowa,  induced  me  to  meet  him  at 
Postville,  in  that  State,  for  the  purpose  of  tho- 
roughly instructing  him  in  the  work  of  the  Order. 
On  my  route,  I  stopped  at  l^Torthfield  and  Austin, 
organizing  in  each  place,  and  took  the  opportunity 
to  look  up  good  men  for  deputies.  I  organized  the 
Grange  at  Postville,  October  28th,  and  during  my 
visit  there  of  a  few  days,  had  the  pleasure  of 
making  the  acquaintance  of  Brother  Paulk,  of 
"VVaukon,  who  at  once  took  a  deep  interest  in  our 
organization.  Rev.  A.  M.  May,  of  the  Waukon 
Standard,  on  that  occasion,  tendered  the  use  of  his 
columns  to  our  cause,  and  has  done  us  good  ser- 
vice, both  in  favoring  and  opposing  the  movement. 

I  returned  home  November  1st,  and  closed  up  all 
my  farm  work  for  the  season,  leaving  again  on 
the  6th  for  my  winter's  work  in  the  Order.  Rev. 
Z.  Cook  had  commenced  organizing  in  good  ear- 
nest. This  month  added  ten  new  Granges,  and  I 
closed  it  with  Eureka  Grange,  ISTunda,  Illinois, 
l^ovember  27th,  when  the  following-named  per- 
sons made  up  the  Charter  members : 


Encouraging-  Prospects.  2ij 

A.  A.  Pettibone,  Mrs.  A.  A.  Pettibone, 

C.  C.  Pettibone,  Mary  E.  Thompson, 
George  Pettibone,  Mary  E.  Warner, 
Alex.  McGregor,  Helen  H.  Pettibone, 
Fred.  G.  Tiiomi-son,  Mrs.  W.  H.  Huffman, 

D.  B.  Warner,  Mary  J.  Pettibone, 
C.  E.   Rowley,  Mrs.  J.  Goodwin, 
A.  AV.  DiLLEY,  Mrs.  L.  E.  Warner, 
Job  Green,  Miss  A.  Eowley, 
W.  H.  Huffman,  Miss  A.  Ellsworth, 
M.  G.  Thall,  Miss  A.  Williams. 
J.  Goodwin,  Mrs.  R.  Benton, 
Thompson  O.  Dilley,  Mrs.  H.  Bryant, 

L.  E.  Warner,  Mrs.  H.  B.  Throop, 

J.  B.  Butler,  Miss  E.  Paddock. 

This  was  the  first  Grange  that  did  any  genuine 
work  in  Illinois. 
From  the  jSTational  Records  I  copy  as  follows : 

ANNUAL   MEETI^^G. 

National  Grange,  Washington,  D.  C,  | 
Wednesday,  December  Sth,  1869.  ) 

Present  Brothers  Saunders,  J.  R.  Thompson, 
Grosh,  Ireland,  and  Trimble. 

The  National  Grange  was  opened  in  due  form, 
when  a  communication  was  read  from  Brother 
0.  II.  Kelley,  Secretary  National  Grange,  stating 
tliat  the  number  and  nature  of  his  engagements 
would  render  it  impossible  for  him  to  be  present  at 
the  session  of  the  National  Grange,  on  this  day. 
That  he  was  engaged  in  Iowa,  Illinois,  and  Indiana, 


21^  Patrons  of  Husbandfy. 

organizing  Subordinate  Granges,  and  could  not 
reach  Washington  before  the  third  week  in  January. 

The  committee,  to  whom  were  referred  various 
amendments  of  the  Constitution  and  By-Laws  at 
the  meeting  in  July  last,  asked  for  a  postponement 
of  the  call  for  their  report  until  an  adjourned 
meeting,  which  was  granted. 

On  motion  of  Brother  Thompson,  the  National 
Grange  then  adjourned  until  Monday,  January 
17th,  at  3  o'clock  P.  M. 

The  following  commences  our  acquaintance  with 
Waukon  Grange,  which,  it  is  claimed,  has  held 
more  meetings  than  any  other  in  the  country. 

From  Dudley  AY.  Adams : 

Waukon,  Iowa,  I?«cem6<3/' 27th,  18G9. 
Hon.  O.  H.  Kelley  : 

Dear  Sir  : 

Thursday  P.  M.,  December  23d,     a  few  of  the 

farmers  of  this  county  met  at  the  Court  House  and  voted  to 

organize  a  Grange  of  the  Patrons  of  Husbandry,  to  be  called 

the  Waukon  Grange.     They  enrolled  sixteen  males  and  fifteen 

females,  who  paid  respectively  the  sum  of  two  dollars  and  fifty 

cents  into  the  hands  of  a  temporary  treasurer.     The  following 

officers  were  elected  temporarily,  viz  : 

Master,         -       -       -       .        -       C.  Paulk. 

Lecturer,         -       -       -       -       -    A.  M.  May. 

Overseer,     -----       o.  MAnson. 

Steward,  -       •       -       -       -       -CD.  Beeman. 

Axxislant  Steward,      .       -       -        Ed.  HaLL. 

Chaplain,        -       -       -       -       -    A.  M.  May. 

Treasurer,   -----        Jacob  Goodykoontz. 

Secretary,       -----    D.  W.  Adams. 

Gate  Keeper,       -       -       -       -       CO.  Howard. 


215 


DUDLEY    W.    ADAMS. 


MRS.    D.     W.    ADAMS. 


Encouraging  Prospects.  215 

On  motion  of  A.  M.  May,  voted  that  "The  Chairman  and 
Secretary  confer  with  O.  H.  Kelley  respecting  the  time  that  he 
can  atlend  to  perfect  the  organization  of  the  Grange." 

Pleufse  direct  your  reply  to  C.  Paulk,  Sen.,  as  I  shall  be  absent 
until  the  20th  of  January.  Yoursj  etc., 

D.  W.  Adams,  Secretary. 

Visited  Brother  Farris,  our  Gate-Keeper,  at  Hen- 
ry, Illinois,  and  assisted  liim  in  opening  a  good 
Grange  there.  My  next  successful  point  was  at 
Honey  Creek,  Indiana,  where,  assisted  by  Brother 
John  Weir,  we  organized  the  first  Grange  in  that 
State,  December  24th,  18G9,  with  the  following- 
named  persons  : 

Honey  Creek  Grange,  No.  1. 

(Including  Charter  Members.) 

Jomr  "Weir,  D.  M.  Crandell, 

Thirga  Weir,  Mrs.  C.  E.  Grover, 

O.  M.  Curry,  Martha  Clem, 

John  Koyse,  Mrs.  O.  M.  Curry, 

Fred.  F.  Cornell,  Mrs.  J.  T.  Crandell, 

George  C.  Clem,  Isabella  M.  Perkins, 

Ulysses  Blockson,  Belle  Blockson, 

John  L.  Weir,  W.  S.  Jones, 

Alice  Crandell,  David  Pugh, 

Eay  Kichardson,  S.  M.  Crandell, 

Mrs.  E.  Ann  Wood,  C.  E.  Grover, 

Benj.  Perkins,  Molly  Clem, 

J.  E.  Kyman,  Sally  Weir, 

J.  T.  Crandell,  Mrs.  Da^id  Pugii. 


2i6  Patrons  of  Iliisbandry. 

Oil  the  27tli  I  was  fortunate  in  organizing  a 
Grange  in  Terre  Haute,  with  Brother  Harv^ey  D. 
Scott  as  ]\Iaster. 

On  mj  route  I  had  written  to  Brother  Saunders 
asking  him  to  convene  the  IS'ational  Grange  at 
the  regular  time,  and  then  adjourn  until  I  should 
reach  Washington. 

Some  portions  of  this  trip  had  been  decidedly 
pleasant.  I  went  as  far  south  as  Peoria,  and  there, 
not  meeting  with  anticipated  success,  the  financial 
branch  of  the  institution  collapsed,  but  through 
the  kindness  of  W".  L.  Dowdall,  Editor  of  the  Demo- 
crat, I  found  relief. 

The  year  1869  closed  with  thirty-eight  new 
Granges,  and  several  good  Deputies  enlisted  in  the 
Avork  of  organizing. 


Cash  Eeceipts  foh  1869. 

January  4— Dispensation  Fee  for  Maple  Grange^. $15  00 

27,  "  "       Garden  City  Grange 15  Oa 

29,  "  "       Star  in  the  West  Grange 15  00 

Kebrwary  17,         "  «       Aurora  Grange 15  00 

"         17,         "  "       Dew  Drop  Grange 15  00 

"         20,         "  "       Kalmar  Grange 15  00 

"         23— For  Organizing  State  Grange  of  Minnesota 50  00 

March  11,  "  Monticello  Grange,  Minnesota 15  00 

11— State  Grange  Fee  at  Monticello,  Minnesota 30  00 

17— Dispensation  Fee  at  Franklin,  Minnesota 15  00 

1*^'  "  "     Watertown,  Minnesota 15  OJ 


Encouraging  Prospects.  21^ 

"       23— state  Grange  Fee  at  Newport  Minnesota $15  00 

"       23— Dispensation  Fee  at  Newport,  Minnesota 14  50 

"       25,  "  "       "    Dakota,  Minnesota 15  00 

April  2— Donation  from  Fredonia,  New  York 25  00 

"     26— Dispensation  Fee  for  Lake  Grange,  Minnesota 15  00 

May  28— William  M.  Ireland 1  H 

"    28— Dispensation  for  Belle  Plain  Grange,  Minnesota 15  00 

July  14,  "  Clear  Water  Grange,  Minnesota 15  00 

••     20,  "  Centre  Grange,  Minnesota 15  00 

"     23 — ReceivedofKalmar  Grange  for  Special  Visit 15  00 

"     29— Dispensation  for  Plowman  Grange,  Minnesota 15  00 

''     29— State  Fees  Plowman  Grange,  Minnesota 10  00 

August  5— Dispensation  for  Glencoe  Grange,  Minnesota 15  00 

"      12,  "  Hassan  Valley  Grange,  Minnesota...  15  00 

"      19,  "  Forest  City  Grange,  Minnesota 15  00 

September  2,  "  Fremont  Grange,  Minnesota 15  00 

"  2— Deputy's  Fees  Fremont  Grange,  Minnesota 22  50 

October  15— Dispensation  for  Hastings  Grange,  Minnesota 15  00 

"       18,  "  Northfleld  Grange,  Minnesota 15  00 

"       23,  "  Austin  Grange,  Minnesota 15  00 

"       28,  "  Postville  Grange,  Iowa 15  00 

"       30— Fees  for  Organizing  Granges 6o  00 

November  6— Dispensation  for  Kasson  Grange,  Minnesota 15  00 

•'         6,  "  Mantorville  Grange,  Minnesota..  15  00 

"       10,  "  Owatonna  Grange,  Minnesota 15  00 

"       10,  "  St.  Charles  Grange,  Minnesota 15  00 

"       20,  "  Grove  Grange,  Minnesota 15  00 

"       22,  "  Leroy  Grange,  Minnesota 15  00 

"       22,  "  Groveland  Grange,  Minnesota 15  00 

"       23,  "  Concord  Grange,  Minnesota 15  00 

"       29,  "  Oriental  Grange,  Minnesota 15  00 

"       29,  "  Eureka  Grange,  Illinois 15  00 

December  4,  "  Henry  Grange,  Illinois 15  00 

"       16,  "  Pine  Island  Grange,  Minnesota...  15  00 

"       23,  "  Halcyon  Grange,  Minnesota 15  00 

"       24,  "  Honey  Creek  Grange,  Indiana 15  00 

"       27,  "  Terre  Haute  Grange,  Indiana 15  W 

Fees  for  Organizing 84  50 


CHAPTER  IV. 

WORK   OF  THE    YEAR    iSyo. 

'HE  YEAR  1870  opened  with  good  resolutions, 
and  the  usual  supply  of  hope.  I  made  another 
stop  at  Indianapolis,  and  there  organized  Capital 
Grange,  Xo.  3  ;  thence  to  Washington. 

On  Wednesday,  January  17th,  the  Eeeords  read 
as  follows: 

The  !N"ational  Grange  met  according  to  adjourn- 
ment, at  3  o'clock  p.  M.  Present,  Brothers  Saun- 
ders, J.  R.  Thompson,  Eev.  A.  B.  Grosh,  Wm.  M. 
Ireland  and  John  Trimble,  Jr. 

On  motion  of  Doctor  Trimble,  adjourned  to  the 
25th  of  January. 

ADJOURNED   MEETING. 

January  2bth,  1870. 

Pursuant  to  adjournment,  the  IsTational  Grange 
convened  for  its  Second  Annual  Session. 

Present,  Brothers  Saunders,  Kclley,  Grosh,  Trim- 
ble, McDowell,  Thompson  and  Ireland. 

The  Secretary  read  his  report  as  follows : 

218 


IVor/:  of  the  Year  iSyo.  2jg 

""Worthy  Master  and  Patrons: 

"  111  presenting  to  you  my  second  Annual  Report, 
it  gives  nie  pleasure  to  say  that  Dispensations  have 
been  issued  as  follows:  Minnesota  has  forty,  Illi- 
nois three,  Iowa  three,  Pennsylvania  one,  New 
York  one,  Ohio  one.  Of  this  number,  thirty-nine 
have  been  issued  during  the  past  year,  against  ten 
the  previous  year.  Added  to  this,  is  one  State 
Grange — that  of  Minnesota. 

"From  all  w^hom  I  have  met  during  my  trip,  in 
the  past  eleven  weeks,  the  most  encouraging  words 
of  cheer  have  been  spoken.  I  have  commissioned 
several  to  act  as  Deputies,  in  hope  of  speedily  ex- 
tending the  Order. 

"I  earnestly  call  your  attention  to  the  immediate 
necessity  of  each  member  of  the  JSTational  Grange 
giving  more  attention  to  the  work,  and  evincing  a 
marked  interest  in  its  progress.  Thus  far  the  labor 
has  fallen  wholly  upon  the  Secretary,  but  it  is  now 
becoming  an  institution  requiring  more  than  one 
single  head  to  run  it.  While  you  require  from  me 
prompt  reports  of  my  doings,  and  take  the  liberty 
to  censure  severely  any  apparent  delays  upon  my 
part,  it  is  but  justice  and  courtesy,  in  return,  that 
you  should  promptly  reply  to  my  communications. 
The  Order  has  been  introduced  to  the  public  under 
difficulties.  No  liberal  donations  have  been  pro- 
vided from  which  to  draw  in  an  emergency,  and 
the  w^ork  has  been  up-hill  business. 

"While  endeavoring  to  make  my  office  self-sup- 
porting^ I  have  been  under  the  necessity  of  incurring 


220  Patrons  of  Husbandly. 

personal  debts  to  the  amount  of  three  hundred  dol- 
lars, mostly  for  printing,  having  confidence  in  the 
future  prosperity  of  the  Order. 

"  Our  great  need  now  is  a  good  and  efficient  force 
of  Deputies  to  be  at  work  in  every  State  in  the 
Union.  To  further  this  work,  it  seems  to  me  im- 
portant that  a  Subordinate  or  a  Deputy's  Grange  be 
immediately  established  in  this  city.  Let  this  be 
under  the  supervision  of  the  JSTational  Grange,  as  a 
school  of  instruction  for  persons  who  wish  to  be- 
come Deputies.  Let  the  National  Grange  receive 
all  fees  and  defray  all  expenses.  I  think,  with  a 
little  exertion,  we  may,  in  two  weeks,  secure  a  mem- 
bership of  one  hundred,  and  thus  raise  funds  enough 
to  pay  oflf  all  debts. 

"  There  is  strong  desire  among  the  German  popu- 
lation in  the  West  to  have  our  Ritual,  Circulars, 
etc.,  printed  in  the  German  language. 

"I  would  call  your  attention  to  the  necessity  of 
establisliing,  at  an  early  day,  a  newspaper  at  the 
Capitol,  to  be  the  organ  of  our  Order,  and  place  it 
under  the  immediate  supervision  of  our  Worthy 
!Master.  I  suggest  that  this  be  done  by  a  stock 
company,  consisting  of  members  of  the  Order.  The 
plan  of  such  a  company  is  for  you  to  devise. 

"  The  proposed  amendments  to  the  Constitution 
should  be  considered,  as  the  Fourth  Edition  must 
be  published  immediately.  A  revision  of  the  Order 
of  Business  is  essential,  and  I  suggest  that  all  the 
obligations  be  condensed  and  given  in  the  Liitia- 
tory  Degree. 


Wor/c  of  the  Year  iSyo.  221 

"The  plans  of  Jewels  were  submitted  to  Mr. 
Seymour,  of  Syracuse,  and  I  am  daily  anticipating 
a  letter  from  him  sxivins;  the  estimate  of  their  cost. 
lie  suggested  a  chans-e  in  the  forms,  which  I  think 
will  meet  your  favor, 

"The  Honorary  and  Associate  Members  of  the 
ITational  Grange,  approved  at  our  last  session,  are. 
Col.  D.  A.  Robertson,  St.  Paul;  Hon.  Eugene  Un- 
derwood, Louisville,  Ky.,  and  H.  D.  Emery,  Chica- 
go.  111. 

"  In  connection  with  the  proposed  amendments,  I 
have  received  the  following  letter  from  Brother 
Sam.  E.  Adams,  to  whom,  as  a  good  adviser,  was 
submitted  a  decision  I  made  last  fall  : 

MoNTicELLO,  Minn.,  September,  1869. 
Brother  O.  H.  : 

In  your  favor  of  the  10th  instant,  you  have  asked  me  to 
review  your  decision,  whicli  I  will,  briefly,  and  give  you  my 
reasons  therefor. 

Article  V.  National  Grange  Constitution,  at  its  close,  says,  one 
vote  rejects. 

In  most  secret  societies,  whett  one  ballot  rejects,  it  is  a  well 
settled  principle,  that  every  member  should  be  allowed  perfect 
freedom  in  the  exercise  of  his  or  her  ballot.  He  cannot  be  dic- 
tated to,  or  in  any  way  influenced,  or  called  to  account  for  the 
vote  he  may  give.  It  is  his  or  her  sacred  right,  for  the  abuse  of 
which,  accountability  is  only  to  one's  own  conscience  and  to  God. 
On  the  other  hand,  a  member  has  neither  a  legal  or  moral  right 
to  avail  himself  of  his  position  to  prejudice  the  character  of  any 
man,  nor  to  gratify  his  personal  animosity,  whether  the  object  of 
his  dislike  be  the  petitioner  or  the  Grange.  "When  he  departs 
from  the  rule  of  justice,  and  the  obligation  of  the  Fourth  Degree, 
he  grossly  abuses  his  privileges,  becomes  a  dangerous  member  of 
the  Grange,  lays  himself  liable  to  discipline,  and,  the  fact  being 


222  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

proven,  to  expulsion.  Every  Grange  ought  to  possess  ample  power 
to  protect  itself,  as  well  against  an  unruly  and  troublesome  mem- 
ber, as  against  the  violation  of  any  of  its  laws.  It  is  immaterial 
whether  there  is  any  special  provision  in  its  By-Laws  to  meet  a 
particular  case,  the  common  law  pertaining  to  secret  organiza- 
tions is  ample  for  the  purpose.  The  law  of  self-preservation  is, 
moreover,  paramount  to  either.  In  a  society  like  this,  the 
Patrons  of  Husbandry,  less  limit  and  fewer  restrictions  are  needed. 
It  is  not  so  exclusive  as  most  other  organizations,  and  its  aims 
and  ends  are  higher  and  more  extensive  ;  hence,  I  am  of  the 
opinion  that  three,  at  least,  negative  ballots  should  be  required  to 
.constitute  a  rejection.  It  takes  three  in  the  Druids,  and  four 
black  balls  in  the  Good  Templars  to  reject.  Even  in  the  later 
editions  of  Ancient  Constitutions  of  the  Masonic  Fraternity  the 
following  appears  :  But  it  was  found  inconvenient  to  insist  on 
unanimity  in  several  cases.  And,  therefore,  the  Grand  Masters 
liave  allowed  the  lodges  to  admit  a  member,  if  not  above  ihree 
ballots  were  against  him  ;  though  some  lodges  desire  no  such 
allowance.  However,  at  present  in  the  United  States,  I  do  not 
know  of  any  exception  to  an  unanimous  vote  in  order  to  secure 
admission  to  an  applicant,  save  South  Carolina,  where  two  or 
more  black  balls  are  required  to  reject. 

It  is  an  exceedingly  difficult  and  delicate  task  to  perform,  to 
investigate,  impugn  and  reprove  the  motives  of  any  person  exer- 
cising the  right  of  casting  his  or  her  vote.  Therefore,  I  would 
urge  upon  the  National  Grange  to  require  three  or  four  negative 
votes  in  order  to  reject  the  petition  of  an  applicant,  instead  of  one, 
as  required  now.  We  have  experienced  the  same  troubles  here, 
but  have  acquiesced,  trusting  the  proposed  alteration  would  ulti- 
mately be  effected.  In  haste,  Sam.  E.  Adams. 

"I  have  several  other  letters  for  your  considera- 
tion at  the  proper  time. 

"In  conchision,  I  congratulate  you  upon  our  suc- 
cess and  prospects,  and  think  within  twelve  months 
we  will  have  an  association  you  can  feel  proud  of." 

The  proposed  amendments  to  the  Constitution 
were  then  taken  up  and  passed,  as  follows: 


IVor^  of  the  Year  i8yo.  22^ 

Akticle  I.  Section  1.  After  Gatc-Kceper,  add,  "Ceres, 
Flora,  Pomona,  and  Lady  Assistant  Steward." 

Sec.  3.  Add,  "and  Deputies  to  organize  Granges  where  no 
State  Grange  exists." 

Article  II.  Section  1.  Erase,  *' for  work  in  the  different 
degrees,"  and  insert  the  word  "  may." 

Sec.  2.  To  read,  "  State  Granges  shall  meet  annually  at  such 
time  and  place  as  the  Grange  shall  from  year  to  year  determine. 

Sec.  3.     Erase  "December,"  and  insert  "January." 

Article  III.  After  the  words,  "All  laws  of,"  insert  "State 
and.' 

Article  V.  Erase  the  word  "engaged,"  and  insert  "in- 
tended';" erase  "  one  vote  rejects,"  and  insert,  "  it  shall  require 
three  negative  votes  to  reject  an  applicant." 

Article  VII.  Add  Section  G.  Payments  in  all  Granges 
shall  be  made  to  the  Secretary,  who  shall  pay  the  amount  to  the 
Treasurer,  taking  his  receipt  for  the  same. 

Article  IX.     Strike  out  Article  I. 

Sec.  4.  Insert  the  words,  "or  Sister,"  after  tlie  word 
"Brother." 

Strike  out  all  of  Section  5,  "  any  member  found  guilty  of 
wanton  cruelty  to  animals,  shall  be  expelled  from  the  Order." 

Article  VII.  Erase,  and  insert  in  lieu  thereof,  "no  Grange 
shall  confer  more  than  two  degrees  at  the  same  meeting,  unless 
by  virtue  of  a  dispensation." 

George  D.  Hinckley,  of  Frcdonia,  1^.  Y. ;  Harvey 
D.  Scott,  of  Terre  Haute,  Iiid.,  and  William  Paist, 
Secretary  of  State  Grange  of  Minnesota,  were,  on 
motion  of  the  Secretary,  recognized  as  members  of 
the  Council. 

The  Subordinate  Granges  having  made  repeated 
calls  upon  the  Secretary  for  paraphernalia  and 
forms,  to  facilitate  their  work,  he  was  authorized  to 
furnish  the  same. 

Among  other  letters  presented,  was  the  following 
from  W.  D.  Haley: 


22^  Patrons  of  Husbandly. 

Indianapolis,  January  \Wi,  1870. 
Dear  Brother  Kelley  : 

*  *  *  In  preparing  our  By-Laws,  I  have  made 
some  changes,  as  you  will  see  by  the  euclosed.  I  also  submit  the 
following  as  an 

Order  of  Business  : 

1.  Opening  the  Grange. 

2.  Reading  the  Minutes. 

3.  Reports  of  Committees  on  Candidates. 

4.  Balloting  for  Candidates.  •- 

5.  Proposals  for  Membership. 

6.  Is  any  member  sick  or  in  distress? 

7.  Are  any  of  our  neighbors  needing  food,  fuel,  or  clothing  ? 

8.  Reports  of  Standing  Committees. 

9.  Reports  of  Special  Coumiittees. 

10.  Bills  and  Accounts. 

11.  Unfinished  Business. 

12.  New  Business. 

13.  Suggestions  for  Good  of  the  Order. 

14.  Conferring  of  Degrees. 

15.  Receipts  of  the  evening  announced. 

IG.  Closing. 

In  haste,  yours  truly, 


*        In  haste,  yours  truly, 

W.  D.  Haley. 


This  order  of  business  was  adopted. 

The  National  Grange  approved  of  the  Secretary's 
plan  of  allowing  Deputies  to  collect  three  dollars 
from  male  and  fifty  cents  from  female  members. 

On  motion,  adjourned  till  the  call  of  the  Master. 

I  spent  several  days  in  Washington  at  this  time, 
the  guest  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Saunders. 

To  carry  out  the  plan  for  a  Deputy's  Grange,  we 
invited  some  of  the  old  members  of  Harvest  Grange 
to  meet  with  us,  and  we  established  a  temporary 


Work  of  the  Year  iSyo.  225 

Grange.  Had  two  meetings,  at  one  of  which  we 
made  C.  C.  Hutchinson  familiar  with  the  work  in 
tlie  several  degrees,  and  so  interested  him  in  the 
Order,  that  he  accepted  an  appointment  as  Deputy 
for  the  New  England  and  Middle  States. 

As  we  were  small  in  numbers,  it  w^as  decided  as 
injudicious  to  jDublish  any  report  of  our  proceedings 
for  general  circulation ;  but  about  a  week  after  our 
adjournment.  Brother  Saunders  wrote  a  short  speech 
for  publication,  as  having  been  delivered  at  this  ses- 
sion. It  was  published  in  the  "Washington  Repub- 
lican,  and  I  purchased  one  hundred  copies  of  the 
paper  for  distribution.     It  reads  as  follows: 

Patkons  :  Before  closing  this  meeting,  it  seems  to  me  expedi- 
ent to  briefly  recapitulate  some  of  the  most  important  objects  of 
the  Order,  and  its  aims  as  a  society. 

To  increase  the  products  of  the  earth  by  increasing  the  knowl- 
edge of  the  producer,  is  the  basis  of  our  structure  ;  to  learn  and 
apply  the  revelations  of  science,  so  far  as  relates  to  the  various 
products  of  the  vegetable  world,  and  to  diffuse  the  truths  and 
general  principles  of  the  science  and  art  of  agriculture,  are  ulti- 
mate objects  of  our  organization.  "We  freely  avail  ourselves  of 
the  valuable  results  of  scientific  investigations  in  establishing 
principles  (which,  although  sometimes  difiicult  of  discovery,  are 
always  of  easy  application  when  properly  understood,)  and  seek 
to  disseminate  knowledge  upon  every  subject  that  bears  upon  the 
increase  of  the  productions  and  wealth  of  the  nation. 

One  of  the  first  duties  of  every  Grange  is  to  form  a  good 
library.     This  should  be  well  supplied  with   elementary  works 

15 


226  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

in  the  various  branches  of  natural  history,  standard  works  on 
agriculture,  horticulture,  pomology,  physiology,  rural  architec- 
ture, landscape  gardening,  breeding  and  raising  of  stock,  and 
those  of  similar  import.  It  is  suggested  that  treatises  on  princi- 
ples and  fundamental  laws  should  have  special  preference.  The 
practices,  more  varied  in  their  details,  will  be  found  from  time  to 
time  in  the  periodicals  devoted  to  these  subjects. 

The  social  relaxation  from  every-day  duties  and  toils,  inculca- 
ted and  encouraged  by  the  Order,  is  keenly  appreciated  by  its 
members.  The  barriers  to  social  intercourse  that  are  thrown 
around  society  by  despotic  fashion  are  ruthlessly  thrown  down 
and  trodden  under  foot,  and  we  meet  on  a  common  footing,  with 
the  common  object  in  view  of  receiving  and  contributing  the 
highest  enjoyments  of  civilized  society. 

To  make  country  homes  and  country  society  attractive,  refined 
and  enjoyable  ;  to  balance  exhaustive  labors  by  instructive  social 
amusements  and  accomplishments,  is  part  of  our  mission  and  our 
aim. 

The  admission  of  women  to  full  membership,  and  their  assist- 
ance in  the  workings  of  the  Order,  is  proving  of  incalculable 
value  ;  it  is  indeed  doubtful  whether  the  objects  of  the  institution, 
especially  in  regard  to  the  refinements  of  education,  and  all  that 
tends  to  brighten  hearths  and  enliven  homes,  could  have  been 
accomplished  without  her  presence  and  aid. 

In  establishing  an  organization  of  this  kind,  we  must  not  allow 
our  energies  to  relax  by  any  apparent  indifference,  or  even 
avowed  hostility  to  our  cause.  This  we  must  expect,  as  there  is 
no  popular  movement  exempt  from  opposition.  There  is  always 
a  class  of  doubters  who  predict  failure,  others  misconstrue  motives, 
and  still  others  who  freely  give  opinions  without  investigating 
the  objects  sought  to  be  attained  or  the  methods  by  which  they 
are  to  be  accomplished. 


Wor/c  of  the   Year  iSyo.  22^ 

The  secret  ceremony  of  initiation  of  members  has,  as  was 
anticipated,  been  objected  to  by  a  few  persons  ;  but  we  are  al- 
ready well  convinced  that  the  efficient  discipline  necessary  to 
secure  a  permanent  organization  could  not  be  attained  by  any 
other  means,  thus  completely  realizing  the  only  object  that  sug- 
gested its  adoption,  and  it  meets  the  warm  approval  of  all  those 
who  have  experienced  the  transitory  existence  of  rural  clubs  and 
societies,  and  who  recognize  in  our  simple  but  efficient  rules 
elements  of  success  based  upon  a  solid  and  lasting  foundation. 

It  is  gratifying  to  know  that  wherever  our  motives  and  objects 
have  been  explained  and  clearly  understood,  we  meet  with  sup- 
port. The  times  were  auspicious  for  tlie  introduction  of  this 
Order.  The  change  of  events  which  allowed  the  minds  of  the 
people  to  subside  from  the  bustle  and  all-absorbing  interests  of 
war  to  the  calm  and  prosperity  of  peace,  called  for  new  organiza- 
tions, based  ujDon  the  industrial  arts,  rather  than  upon  political 
theories — a  basis  that  appeals  to  the  patriotism  and  sensibilities 
of  every  cultivated  and  right-minded  individual. 

The  many  advantages  that  naturally  flow  from  a  society  of 
this  kind  nee^l  not  be  enumerated,  even  if  it  were  practicable  to 
do  so.  Suggestions  of  great  moment  are  constantly  being  pre- 
sented, and  accumulate  in  a  degree  beyond  all  expectation. 
Not  the  least  of  these  is  that  of  co-operation  in  every  branch  of 
rural  economy,  valuable  alike  to  the  producer  and  the  consumer. 
This  is  a  subject  of  great  moment,  and  one  requiring,  as  it  is 
receiving,  careful  and  cautious  consideration ;  so  that  while 
members  of  the  Order  are  protected,  the  rights  of  others  will  not 
be  infringed,  but  that  all  will  be  benefited. 

In  conclusion,  I  may  remark  that  we  have  every  incentive  to 
encourage  us  in  the  prosecution  of  this  work.  We  cannot  do 
otherwise  than  to  go  on  prospering  and  to  prosper,  for  whatever 
may  take  place  in  modes  of  government,  or  changes  occur  in  the 


228  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

artificial  tastes  of  society,  one  thing  is  certain,  that  our  greatest 
dependance  will  ever  be  upon  the  productions  of  the  soil,  and  the 
educated  cultivator  possesses  the  knowledge  upon  which  is 
reared  the  structure  of  national  wealth  and  national  character. 

January  31st,  I  received  tlie  following  from  Bro- 
ther Bartlett: 

North  Madison,  Onio,  January  2Wi,  1870. 
My  Deab  Brother  : 

Yours  of  the  25th  instant  awaited  me  on  my  return  home 
from  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Ohio  Dairymen's  Association  at 
Wellington. 

I  have  scores  of  excuses  for  my  apparent  apathy  in  the  work 

of  our  Order,  but  I  refrain  from  expressing  them  until  I  see  you. 

"We  will  be  ready  for  you  one  week  from  today,  if  within  the 

range  of  possibilities.     Call  and  see  us,  at  any  rate,  and  depend 

upon  a  cordial  welcome.        Fraternally  Yours, 

A.  Bartlett. 

From  this  I  felt  sanguine  of  success  in  starting 
Granges  in  Ohio;  but  a  sudden  and  severe  attack  of 
sickness,  which,  thanks  to  Mrs.  Saunders'  kind  care, 
was  of  short  duration,  had  a  tendency  to  change  my 
views  somewhat.  Buoyancy  and  despondency  alter- 
nated, and  I  determined  at  this  time  to  either  give 
up  the  work  or  move  my  family  to  Washington, 
and,  putting  all  other  things  aside,  give  exclusive 
attention  to  the  Order. 

On  leaving  "Washington  early  in  February,  I 
stopped   cnroute   at  Fredonia,   and   with    Brother 


Wor/c  of  the   Year  iSyo.  22g 

Ilincldey  visited  Brockton,  in  liopc  of  organizing  a 
Grange;  but  without  success. 

On  reaching  Brother  Bartlctt's,  February  18th, 
he  was  absent  from  home.  I  was  cordially  received 
b}^  Mrs.  Bartlett,  and  at  her  urgent  request,  decided 
to  remain  until  his  return.  It  was  cold  and  stormy 
out  of  doors  much  of  the  Aveek,  and  I  wrote  several 
discouraging  letters  to  Brothers  Saunders  and  Mc- 
Dowell.    In  reply.  Brother  Saunders  wrote : 

Washington,  Mondat, 

February  2Ut,  1870. 
Brother  Kelley  : 

*****!  enclose  twenty  dollars.     Any 

time  you  get  stuck,  always  let  me  know.     As  long  as  I  can  beg, 

borrow  or  steal  an  X  for  you,  I'll  do  it.     I  sent  three  letters  to 

Chicago  to  you  last  week.  ****** 

Yours,  Wm.  Saunders. 

To  McDowell: 

I  reached  here  last  night,  but  failed  to  find  Brother  Bartlett 
at  home.  I  am  out  of  funds  entirely,  and  never  felt  more  dis- 
couraged in  my  life.  I  think  of  resigning  my  position  as  Secre- 
tary. Am  worried  so  much  by  being  continually  short  of  funds; 
it  takes  away  all  vl\j  ambition,  and  is  fretting  me  to  death. 

Will  be  pleased  to  hear  from  you,  if  you  will  write  a  cheerful 
letter.  O.  H.  K. 

On  Brother  Bartlett's  return,  we  decided  tliat  our 
best  point  would  be  at  East  Cleveland,  where  we 
went  on  the  2d  of  March,  and  organized  a  Subor- 


2  70  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

dinatc  Granite — the  first  in  the  State — with  the  fol- 

lowing  named  persons: 

O.  D.  FoKD,  Mrs.  O.  D.  Ford, 

Thomas  Hodges,  ]SIrs.  Thomas  Hodges, 
Matthew  Craavford,       Mrs.  M.  Crawford, 

John  W.  Gale,  Mrs.  J.  W.  Gale, 

John  J.  Phare,  Mrs.  Zow^  J.  Phare, 

M.  G.  Penticost,  Mrs.  M.  G.  Penticost, 

Wm.  Crawford,  Mrs.  W31.  Crawford, 

John  Phare,  M.  Eeagin. 

It  was  my  desire  to  thoroughly  instruct  the  mem- 
bers in  the  Ritual,  and  appointed  several  Deputies 
who  should  go  from  here  into  other  parts  of  the 
State  and  push  the  work.  At  Brother  B.'s  sugges- 
tion, I  agreed  to  remain  here  until  he  made  a  busi- 
ness trip  of  a  few  days.  In  the  meantime  we  re- 
ceived the  account  of  Brother  Hutchinson's  meet- 
ing with  the  N^ew  York  Farmers'  Club.  It  was 
his  first,  and  proved  to  be  his  last,  public  effort  in 
the  cause.  It  made  a  stir  among  the  old  fogies  of 
that  mutual  admiration  society,  and  proved  a  capi- 
tal advertisement  for  our  Order. 

Being  delayed  here  so  much  longer  than  I  had 
anticipated,  I  wrote  to  Brother  Hinckley  to  advance 
me  funds,  to  which  he  replied : 

Fredonia,  New  York. 
Bkother  Kelley  : 

It  gives  me  great  pleasure  to  enclose  you  the  sum  asked 

for.    Please  command  me  for  similar  favors  at  any  time.     I  shall 

always  cheerfully  comply.         Yours,  G.  D.  Hinckley. 


Worl-  of  the   Year  iSyo.  2ji 

I  also  received  a  similar  favor  from  Brother 
Blakelee.  Brother  Bartlett  returned,  seriously  ill, 
and  had  to  leave  for  his  homo  the  next  day;  I  have 
not  seen  him  since.  Left  Cleveland  in  a  snow 
storm.  At  Chicago  we  were  blocked  in  Avhen 
reaching  the  city  limits.  From  thence  to  Itasca 
the  trip  was  a  series  of  vexations  and  expensive  de- 
lays— the  roads  being  blocked  with  snow.  Reached 
home  March  19th,  having  been  absent  five  months. 
The  discouragements  and  tedious  close  of  the  trip 
fi3:ed  the  resolution  to  take  my  family  to  a  latitude 
where  they  would  be  accessible  in  winter,  without 
the  use  of  steam  snow  plows. 

The  following  letters,  received  at  home  during 
my  absence,  will  be  read  with  interest: 

Trom  William  Paist: 

State  Grange  op  Minnesota,  ) 
St.  Paul,  January  M,  1870.      ) 
SisTEii  C.  A.  Hall, 

Assistant  Secretary  National  Orange  : 

I   received  yours  of  December  21st.     Twenty 

hours'  work  per  day  since,  is  my  only  excuse  for  not  answering 

sooner.     I  have  written  Special  Deputy  Cook  a  long  letter,  and 

enclosed  one  to  Grove  Grange,  that  I  hope  will  be  satisfactory. 

I  would  till  up  the  Charter  just  as  you  did,  for  it  is  better  to  get 

along  the  best  we  can  with  a  new  organization  ;  yet  I  know  it  is 

bad  to  establish  any  precedents  which  may  come  up  to  our  injury 

in  the  future. 

Yesterday  was  the  greatest  day  for  Patrons  and  their  families 


2J2  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

I  have  ever  seen  in  St.  Paul.  I  looked  anxiously  for  you  and 
Brother  Kelley's  family.  Our  large  hall  was  crowded  all  day, 
and  at  night  until  12  o'clock,  with  Patrons,  their  wives  and  chil- 
dren. Initiated  about  a  dozen  ladies  and  gents,  and  adjourned 
to  banquet — a  splendid  one.  Then  installed  officers,  and  the 
balance  of  the  time  danced  and  eat  oysters,  and  had  a  good  time 
generally,  and  went  home  happy.  To-day  finds  me  answering 
some  thirty  letters.        Fraternally  yours, 

Wm.  Paist,  Secretary  State  Grange. 

From  Doctor  James  L.  Enos  : 

Cedar  Rapids,  Iowa,  A^th  January,  1870. 
O,  H.  Kelley: 

Deab  Sir  and  Brotfer  : 

I  have  yours  of  December  21st.     Previous  letters 

received.     Should  have  written,  but  presumed  you  were  on  the 

wijig,  and  would  not  get  my  answers. 

The  ball  is  moving  in  Iowa.     I  have  had  several  articles  in 

diflerent  papers,  and  shall  keep  a  noise  going  that  way  to  attract 

attention.     In  the  Ilomesiead^  articles  liave  appeared. 

I  propose  very  soon  now  to  commence  organizing.     I  think 

this  month  and  next  will  tell  something,  though  money  is  very 

close,  and  men  are  very  careful  about  parting  with  a  dollar.     I 

am  getting  the  Order  well  advertised.  *        *        *        * 

Fraternally,  James  L.  Enos, 

From  lY.  D.  Haley: 

Indianopolis,  January  ISth,  1870. 
Dear  Brother  Kelley  : 

*  *  *  Inquiries  coming  in  from  all  quarters.  I 
have  an  idea  to  get  up  a  special  circular  for  this  State,  addressed 
not  so  exclusively  to  Agriculturists,  etc.,  but  recommending  the 


Wo/'/:  of  tlic   Year  iSjo.  2jj 

matter  to  those  who  can  appreciate  a  Secret  Society  possessing  a 
sublime  Ritual,  and  having  beyond  tlic  specialty  of  agriculture, 
the  general  purposes  of  benevolence  and  social  benefit.  While  I 
do  not  under-estimate  or  overlook  the  importance  of  the  Order, 
as  pertaining  to  agricultural  matters,  I  am  convinced  that  to 
make  it  a  permanent  and  wide-spread  success,  we  must  enlist 
those  who,  at  commercial  and  manufacturing  centres,  can  give 
it  intellectual  and  social  force,  to  enable  it  to  reach  the  very  class 
its  founders  designed  it  specially  for,  i.  e.,  the  country  farmers. 
Hoping  to  hear  from  j'ou  soon,  I  remain, 

Fraternally  yours,  W.  D.  Haley 

From  William  Paist: 

St.  Paul,  Minn.,  January  2M,  1870. 
Brother  0.  H. : 

I  received  yours  of  January  15th,  from  Washington.  We 
are  well  and  getting  along  ;  in  fact  Miss  Carrie  and  myself  are 
running  the  Patrons  to  the  fullest  extent.  We  now  have  forty 
organized  Granges,  and  two  or  three  more  waiting  to  get  at 
work.  We  sadly  need  your  genial  countenance  and  assistance 
among  them.  Decided  not  to  have  a  meeting  of  the  State  Grange 
in  February,  because  of  the  hard  times  throughout  the  State,  and 
save  the  money  it  would  cost,  to  get  out  of  debt.  *  *  * 
Half  of  North  Star  Grange  took  a  sleigh  ride  to  Newport,  Satur- 
day, and  had  a  splendid  time.  The  banquet  was  grand.  Some 
of  us  went  to  Farmington.  I  installed  their  officers  in  a  church 
publicly,  and  Brother  Bently  made  a  short  speech.  I  tell  you  I 
was  glad  to  be  there.  *  *  *  It  seems  like  the  lower 
the  price  of  wheat  the  more  fun  we  have,  and  does  not  take  up 
all  one's  time  looking  after  the  mone}'. 

*        *        *  Thank  you  for  proposing  me  as  a  member  of 

the  National  Grange.     Hope  you  will  vote  in  favor  of  three  black 


2j^  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

balls,  as  personal  pique  will  often  show  itself  in  one,  but  hardly 
ever  will  three  persons  act  mean  at  the  same  time.  *        * 

Fraternally  yours,  "Wm.  Paist. 

From  Brother  Ilalej: 

Ikdiaxapolis,  January  2^t\  1870. 
Dear  Brother  Kellet  : 

*  *  *  I  have  printed  five  hundred  circulars,  of 
which  I  send  you  a  copj'.  Bland  and  Taylor  are  so  well  pleased 
with  it,  they  have  ordered  five  hundred  more  for  their  own  use. 
I  am,  in  a  few  minutes,  going  to  see  Mankedick,  to  suggest  his 
having  it  translated  and  printed  in  German.  The  circulars  by  you 
are  good,  but  we  want  to  reach  another  class  who  may  be  in- 
terested from  other  than  exclusively  agricultural  motives. 
I  also  enclose  form  of  blanks  printed  for  the  use  of  our  Grange. 
Yours  fraternally,  "W.  D.  Haley. 

During  this  winter  the  correspondence  increased 
very  fast.  The  notices  published  in  the  various 
papers  of  the  "West,  brought  many  letters  of  inquiry. 
Among  the  interesting  features  of  our  "work,  ■was 
going  to  the  Post  Office,  situated  just  two  miles 
from  the  farm.  Owino;  to  driftinir  snows  on  the 
prairie,  it  "was  frequently  necessary  to  break  the 
road  when  the  drifts  were  almost  impassable  for 
horses. 

•     From  H.  D.  Scott : 

Terre  Haute,  I>-d.,  February  15i7i,  1870. 
O.  n.  Kkllet, — Dear  Sir  : 

Yours  enclosing  "Key  "  duly  received.     I  also  received 
circulars  from  Deputy  Haley.     We  will  pay  for  all  these  papers, 


Wo7'k  of  the   Year  iSyo.  235 

but  as  no  hill  comes  with  them,  I  do  not  know  what  amount  to 
send.  We  were  doing  very  well,  remarkably  well,  until  last 
evening,  when  we  ran  against  a  "  Sawyer,"  in  the  shapje  of  a 
motion  to  dispense  with  the  Harvest  Dance.  The  debate  ran 
high,  and  the  motion  finally  prevailed,  and  the  result,  while  it 
satisfied  one  party  and  did  not  so  much  displease  the  other,  left 
an  unpleasant  farewell  that  will  take  a  short  time  to  work  out. 
Both  parties  were  sorry,  and  I  think  a  little  ashamed  of  the 
whole  thing.  I  have  looked  upon  this  part  of  the  Ceremony  as 
not  of  absolute  necessity  in  all  cases,  and  like  anything  else  that 
could  not  be  very  well  done  in  the  kind  of  assembly  we  have. 
*  *  *  A  few  words  from  you  will  have  a  good  effect, 
and  put  the  whole  thing  in  good  shape. 

Fraternally  yours,  H.  D.  Scott. 

This  was  answered  by  Miss  Hall,  as  follows : 

Itasca,  Minn.,  February  22d,  1S70. 
H.  D.  Scott : 

Worthy  Brother  : 

Your  favor  of  February  15th,  inquiring  in  regard  to 
Harvest  Dance,  received.  Brother  Kelley  has  not  yet  returned, 
but  as  soon  as  he  arrives  your  letter  will  be  answered  in  full.  I 
will  say,  however,  that  it  is  optional  with  the  members  of  your 
Grange  whether  they  will  have  the  dance  or  not.  Xo  serious 
oljjcctions  have  been  made  to  it,  and  a  majority  join  in  the  harm- 
less recreation. 
Hoping  that  unity  may  prevail,  I  am  yours  fraternally, 

C.  A.  Hall. 

From  Doctor  James  L.  Enos : 

Brother  Kelley  : 

I  am  hoarse  with  a  cold,  but  busy  myself  as  best   I  can 
writing  letters  to  prominent  men,  and  for  the  papers.     I  have  a 


2j6  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

heavy  article  this  week  in  the  Linn  County  Signal,  and  another 
in  the  Vinton  Eagle.  *  *  *  I  hope  some  of  them 
may  be  copied  in  other  papers  and  that  we  will  get  things  going 
after  a  while.        *        *        *        Fraternally, 

Jas.  L.  Enos. 

Brother  Haley  was  very  anxious  for  tlie  Ritual  in 
German,  but  it  did  not  meet  with  favor.   He  wrote: 

Ikdianapolis,  February  23tf,  1870. 
Dear  Brother  Kellet : 

*  *  *  I  can  get  the  translation  done  for  $30.00, 
well  done  by  a  highly  accomplished  man.  I  hope  you  will 
authorize  it,  for  we  need  it  immediately,  and  Iliave  set  the  man 
to  work.  Of  course,  I  had  no  authority  to  do  this,  but  the  Ger- 
mans are  crowding  me  for  a  Grange  here.  *  *  * 
Please  issue  commissions  to  the  following,  on  my  recommenda- 
tion.    Both  are  good  men. 

Ira  S.  King,  for  Indiana.     He  is  by  all  odds  the  best  posted  and 
best  working  brother  in  our  Grange. 

Henry  Collins,  for  Michigan  and  Indiana.  Send  his  documents 
to  Cold  Water,  Michigan.        *        *        * 

Yours  fraternally,  W.  D.  Haley. 

From  William  Paist: 

Miss  C.  A.  Hall,  '"'  ^^^"'  ^^^'"""''^  ^^^^'  ^^''' 

Assistant  Secretary  of  the  National  Grange  : 
Worthy  Sister  : 

I  received  your  letter  a  few  days  since. 
Enclosed  I  send  you  an  application  approved.  I  have  sent  T.  A. 
Thompson  a  commission  as  Special  Deputy.  I  have  organized  a 
Grange  at  Cottage  Grove,  and  enclose  you  the  names  for  Charter. 
The  fee  I  will  send  as  you  may  direct. 


Work  of  the  Year  iSyo.  ^J7 

Brother  Kelley  wrote  me  from  Frcdonia,  and  thinks  we  had 
better  soon  have  a  meeting  of  the  State  Grange.  I  incline  to 
favor  his  views.     Write  often. 

Fraternally  yours,  Wm.  Paist. 

From  Brother  Saunders : 

Washington,  March  4iA,  1870. 
Brother  Kelley  : 

Brother  Hutchinson  had  a  hard  time  of  it  at  Xew  York. 

I  send  you  a  series  of  reports  from  the  Tribune,  Times,  and  New 

Yorker.    The  World  comes  out  the  most  unjust  of  all  of  them, 

and  endeavored  to  burlesque  the  whole  aflair,  misrepresenting  us 

in  every  possible  way.        *        *        *        Some  day  we  will 

show  them  that  our  plans  are  practical.         *        *        *        "^q 

bide  our  time.     I  received  your   Cleveland  letter  this  morning 

only.     Glad  to  know  you  are  encouraged  there.     No  doubt  at  all 

about  success,  if  we  can  do  our  part  here.     That  is  the  greatest 

want  at  present. 

We  will  have  a  good  Grange  here  soon.  Four  will  be  initiated 
on  Monday  evening,  and  I  know  of  several  others.  The  New 
Tork  affair  will  advertise  us,  any  how. 

Respects  to  Brother  Bartlett. 

Tours  fraternally,  Willl^m  Saunders. 

P.  S.  I  enclose  a  letter  from  Thos.  B.  Bryan,  a  millionaire  of 
Chicago  fame,  and  a  thorough  gentleman  in  every  respect.  See 
what  he  thinks  of  us.     Return  his  letter,  please.  W.  S. 

He  also  wrote  in  another  letter  under  date  of 

March  9,  1870. 
I  was  intending  to  enclose  twenty  dollars  for  you,  but  it 
might  not  reach  you.     If  you  get  this  before  leaving  Cleveland, 


2j8  Patrons  of  Husbandly. 

and  want  money,  try  and  borrow  it  from  Mr.  Harris,  and  I  will 
refund  him  at  once- 
Dr.  Blaud  has  a  good  notice  in  his  March  number.     I  saw 

anotlicr  Western  llural  paper,  with  my  speech  in  full. 

W.  S. 

From  Brother  C.  Paulk,  to  Brother  Wm.  Paist, 

St.  Paul : 

Waiikon,  Iowa,  March  \ith,  1870. 
*         *         *        Our  Grange  is  very  flourishing,— well 
supplied  with  regalia  and  working  tools,— and  numbers  about 
seventy,  all  first-rate  members.    They  are  coming  in  as  fast  as  we 
can  initiate  and  raise  them. 

We  hold  degree  meetings  once  a  week,  and  as  yet  have  not 
been  able  to  have  any  discussions  on  Agricultural  subjects. 

Yours,  C.  Paulk. 

From  T.  A.  Thompson : 

Plainview,  Minn.,  March  14,  1870. 
O.  H.  Kellet, — Dear  Sir  : 

About  the  middleof  February  a  Grange  was  established 
in  this  place.  It  now  members  fifty-one  members.  We  like  it 
thus  far,  well.  Its  local  advantages,  we  think,  will  amply  re- 
ward us.  If  Granges  multiply,  as  I  believe  they  are  sure  to, 
and  arrangements  are  perfected  whereby  manufactures  and 
markets  can  be  brought  in  direct  communication  with  Subordinate 
Granges,  and  we  can  ct -operate  so  as  to  be  a  power  in  the  land, 
according  to  our  numerical  and  financial  relation  to  other  inter- 
ests, grand  results  will  surely  accrue.         *        *        * 

I  expect  to  institute  another  Grange  in  this  County  in  two  or 
thiee  weeks.  I  think  there  will  be  four  in  this  County  within  a 
year. 

If  the  mission  of  this  Order  is  not  to  accomplisli  great  good  in 


T.    A.    THOMPSON. 


IVor/y.'  of  tJic  Year  iSjo.  2jc) 

behalf  of  the  producing  classes,  then  we  may  give  up  and  expect 
no  one  to  arise  that  will.  It  appears  to  me,  this  combines  the 
elements  of  success.  The  Ritual  is  pleasing  and  beautiful.  Hope 
we  shall  have  some  Odes  soon.  We  want  singing.  It  is  an  ex- 
cellent feature  that  woman  is  admitted  to  a  full  share  in  the  work, 
benefits  and  influence.  Good  men  taking  hold  of  it  here,  and  we 
shall  have  a  good  Grange.        *        *        * 

Yours  truly,  Thos.  A.  Thompson,  Master. 

The  business  of  organizing  Subordinate  Granges 
was  beginning  to  be  a  matter  of  serious  thought. 
My  experience  thus  far  satisfied  me  that  it  required 
men  of  peculiar  tact,  and  success  must  in  the  end 
be  accomplished  by  sending  such  men  as  Deputies 
all  over  the  country.  Until  these  could  be  secured, 
we  must  organize  by  letter,  and  run  the  risk,  in  so 
doing,  of  communicating  the  work  to  unreliable 
parties.  On  these  points  my  mind  was  made  up, 
and  the  plans  I  then  adopted  have  prevailed,  until 
in  one  month,  that  of  February,  1874,  we  organized 
by  Deputies  in  person,  two  thousand  two  hundred 
and  thirty-four  Subordinate  Granges, — a  work  un- 
paralleled in  the  history  of  organizations.  I  had  some 
opposition,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  following  from 
Brother  Saunders  : 

Wabhington,  D.  C,  Marcli  25th,  1870. 
Mt  Dear  Kellet  : 

We  are  now  inundated  with   letters  about  the  Patrons. 

I  can  see  that  our  true  policy  is  to  advertise,  and  pay  for  good 


2^0  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

advertisements.  No  other  kind  of  notice  seems  to  amount  to 
much.  To  all  inquirers  I  write  thus,  and  wish  you  to  take  a 
note  of  it,  so  that  we  may  do  all  our  business  in  a  uniform  man- 
ner, to  wit : 

"  To  form  a  Grange  there  must  be  twenty  or  more  males  who 
will  subscribe  three  dollars  each,  and  ten  or  more  females  who 
will  subscribe  fifty  cents  each.  These  are  charter  members. 
When  the  National  Grange  has  proper  evidence  that  sixty-five 
dollars  are  deposited  with  a  banker  or  responsible  firm,  a  Deputy 
will  be  detailed  to  organize  a  Grange,  and  he  will  return  twenty- 
five  dollars  to  the  person  or  persons  who  have  incurred  expenses, 
and  given  their  time  to  do  the  work  of  soliciting  members,  and 
collecting  these  fees.  The  balance  is  transmitted  to  the  National 
Grange  who  will  settle  with  its  deputies." 

In  this  way  we  will  not  incur  expenses  traveling  around  solicit- 
ing  membership.  It  will  not  only  be  cheaper,  but  it  will  be  more 
effective  in  every  way.  We  might  spend  a  thousand  dollars  in 
going  about,  and  not  organize  ten  Granges;  for  one  hundred  dollars 
advertising  we  might  form  a  hundred  Granges.  *  *  * 
Our  best  mode  is  as  I  suggest.  We  can  never  expect  to  organize 
largely  by  individual  canvassers.        *        *        * 

W.  Saunders. 

I  replied  that  this  would  do  very  well  for  theory. 
Though  hut  thirty-one  Granges  had  been  organized 
by  me  in  person  up  to  that  time,  my  work  was  not 
to  be  taken  as  any  criterion.  I  was  satisfied  any 
ordinary  man  who  could  talk,  and  would  put  his 
heart  into  the  work,  could  organize  ten  to  my  one, 
audit  was  such  men  I  was  hunting  for  in  my  travels. 
The  men  must  be  found,  and  then  iwy  them  well  to 


IP'orl-  of  tlic   Year  iSyo.  2^1 

secure  good  work.  I  determined  to  make  a  business 
matter  of  this  part  of  the  work,  and  bring  it  to  a 
success.  The  issuing  of  iiDeniy-ihree  thousand  Char- 
ters is  the  result,  and  this  the  united  labor  of  one 
thousand  nine  hundred  and  twenty-five  Deputies. 

To  the  credit  of  these  men,  permit  me  to  say, 
were  I  to  commence  a  similar  business  to-day,  I 
would  select  certain  ones  from  this   number   and 

make  an  equal  success  of  whatever  might  be  under- 
taken. 

From  Saunders. 

Washington,  D.  C,  March  28th,  1870. 
Dear  Kelley: 

I  received,  to-day,  yours  of  the  22d,  with  inclosures.  You 
ask  me  to  send  you  such  letters  as  I  receive.  That  v^'ould  be  too 
big  a  job.  I  had  ten  this  morning,*  which  shows  how  the  thing 
is  getting  abroad.  It  takes  a  great  deal  of  time  to  answer  these, 
but  I  will  do  it  as  far  as  possible.         *        *        * 

Our  prospects  are  brighter  than  ever.  You  must  impress  all 
the  members  with  the  necessity  of  their  working  for  the  com- 
mon good.  They  must  each  and  all  of  them  keep  thinking  and 
suggesting  new  schemes  of  usefulness.  They  must  not  suppose 
that  the  National  Grange  can  immediately  make  the  Order  what 
it  will  grow  to  be.     We  have  given  them  a  principle  of  organiza- 


*  In  December  of  tbis  year,  1870,  Brother  Saunders  passed  ovpr  \nn\e 
aU  letters  he  had  received  relative  to  tiie  Order— sixty-two  in  all.  To 
each  of  these  I  sent  now  circulars  Tearing  tlie  compilation  of  this 
History  I  have  addressed  each  un-iler,  and  find  that  nine  out  of  ten  are 
members. 

16 


2<^2  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

tion  and  co-operation,  such  as  cannot  well  be  improved  upon, 
and  superior  to  any  other  in  the  world.  But  efficiency  depends 
upon  numbers.  It  is  only  in  its  infancy,  and  we  must  have  a 
good  congregation  before  we  can  get  and  maintain  good  preach- 
ers.       *        *        *  Yours  very  truly, 

WiLiiiAM  Saunders. 

In  another  letter  from  Brother  Saunders,  I  find 
the  following : 

I  have  been  through  the  Ritual.  It  is  in  a  worse  condition 
than  I  thought.  The  cry  is  to  make  it  brief.  This  agrees  with 
my  opinion,  and  I  will  propose  a  slight  reduction  in  some  of  the 
lectures  and  charges.  There  is  a  good  deal  of  repetition  and 
tautology  all  through  it.  The  funeral  service  I  think  the  model 
portion  of  the  whole.  W.  S. 

From  a  letter  written  to  Brother  Saunders  at  this 
time,  I  quote : 

The  idea  of  discussions  upon  how  to  raise  crops,  is  stale. 
They  all  want  some  plan  of  work  to  oppose  the  infernal  monop- 
olies. This  seems  to  be  uppermost  in  the  mind  of  every  mem- 
ber I  have  conversed  with.  The  "how  to  do  it,"  is  the  rub.  I 
think  we  can,  by-and-by,  introduce  some  system  of  insurance,  so 
as  to  insure  at  cost.  0.  H.  K. 

Again  I  Avrote  him : 

Itasca,  Minn.,  April  HtJi,  1870. 
Dear  Brother  Saunders : 

Have  just  reached  home,  and  take  the  first  train  for  Mon:i- 
cello  and  Clear  Water,  to  visit  Granges.  Yours  of  28th  is  here. 
I  wrote  you  Saturday  and  Sunday.  *  *  *  My  visit- 
ing Granges  here  counts  me  nothing,  and  I  have  to  do  it  at  my 


Worl-  of  the  Year  jSjo.  24.J 

own  expense.  I  do  hope  you  will  get  some  good  active  men 
into  your  Grange,  who  will  go  into  the  field  and  go  to  work. 
That's  the  way  the  forty-six  Granges  in  this  State  were  started, 
and  that's  the  way  I  started  them  in  Iowa,  Illinois,  Indiana,  Ohio, 
New  York,  and  in  Washington.  Sitting  down  writing  letters 
will  not  organize  Granges.  Some  beloved  brother  must  be 
present  and  set  them  in  motion.  The  fee  we  allow  Deputies  now 
is  sufficient  inducement  for  them  to  work,  and  my  idea  is  to  have 
an  army  of  them  at  it. 

Your  suggestions  in  this  letter  before  me,  are  excellent,  and 
meet  my  views  exactly  ;  but  before  we  can  lay  out  much  work 
for  them  to  do,  we  must  get  Granges  established  all  over  the 
country.  "We  have  a  pile  of  letters  by  the  last  mails — inquiries 
about  the  Order.         *        *        * 

I  have  been  at  home  but  three  successive  days  for  six  months. 
We  are  laboring  under  disadvantage  in  this  work  by  being  so 
far  apart.  Yours  truly,  O.  H.  K.  • 

From  Brother  Saunders ; 

Washington,  April  SiJi,  1870, 
My  DearKelley: 

I  am  very  hard  driven,  but  have  prepared  a  circular*  for 
the  Granges,  at  present.  As  soon  as  I  can  get  at  it,  will  go  to 
work  on  a  general  new  circular — a  business  circular.  Guess  we 
will  not  need  much  more  advertising.  I  have  just  had  an  in- 
terview with  the  Regent  of  the  University  of  Kentucky,  where 
they  have  eight  hundred  students.  *  *  *  He  is  with 
us  heart  and  soul.  He  wants  Hutchinson  to  go  there  as  soon  as 
he  can  and  organize  fifty  thousand  members  in  Kentucky.    That 

*  This  circular,  after  consulting  with  Brothers  Paist  and  Robinson, 
I  did  not  publish. 


2^4-  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

is  his  talk,  and  these  his  figures.  Such  are  the  men  who  will 
help  us.  By  Jove,  it  takes  a  thorough  man  to  see  through 
all  the  powers  of  this  Order.  Your  groveling,  one-idea  chaps 
can't  compass  it.     That's  my  experience. 

One  great  want  is  Deputies  that  can  organize.  What  use  giving 
commissions  to  men  who  know  nothing  about  the  work.  All 
these  up  in  Ohio  cannot  know  anything  about  it. 

Mr.  Hutchinson  has  left  for  Kansas.  He  is  one  of  the  best 
men  in  this  Order.  Now  you  think  on  what  I  say.  He  will 
make  the  Order  go  when  he  commences.         *        *        * 

I  sent  to  my  poetical  friend  in  New  York  a  copy  of  the  Manual, 
requesting  him  to  prepare  words.  He  writes  me  that  the  Manual 
is  beautiful,  solemn  and  affecting,  and  that  it  will  require  more 
than  "shoo-fly  "  literature  to  match  it.  I  told  him  that  it  was 
mostly  composed  by  a  solemn  man  who  lives  in  Minnesota. 

The  Order  cannot  be  kept  from  going  ahead,  but  we  must  keep 
moving.  I  wish  Thompson  would  prepare  a  lecture.  He  is 
Lecturer,  and  should  do  so.     Respects  to  all  at  home. 

Yours  very  truly,  William  Satjndeks. 

C.  C.  Hutchinson  wrote  me : 

WAsnixGTON,  D.  C,  A])ril  1th,  1870, 
My  Deak  Sir  : 

•Your  kind  letter  of  27th  ult.,  was  duly  received.  *  * 
I  do  not  think  it  worth  while  to  incur  the  expense  of  publishing 
my  address  again.  *  *  *  ^ill  you  please  send  to 
Mr.  Saunders  a  commission  filled  out  for  me  as  "  General 
Deputy  of  the  National  Grange  for  the  United  States?"  My 
other  is  too  limited  for  me,  in  the  West  and  South.  *  *  * 
-  C.  C.  Hutchinson. 

The  balance  of  this  letter  was  relative  to  advertis- 
ing the  Order  prior  to  sending  out  Deputies. 


245 


W.    W.    CORBETT. 


Wor^  of  the   Year  iSjo.  24.5 

One  trouble  with  some  of  our  Deputies  was  the 
desire  to  cover  too  much  territory,  and,  hke  setting 
a  hen  on  too  many  eggs,  the  more  they  try  to  cover 
the  less  chickens  they  hatch. 

ITotwithstanding  his  large  recommendation,  with 
a  clear  field  and  every  inducement,  he  never  was 
heard  from  afterward  in  connection  with  the  Order. 
He  never  organized  a  Grange.  It  was  thus  many 
of  our  fond  hopes  were  addled. 

From  W.  W.  Corhett : 

Office  of  Pkairie  Farmer,  ) 
Chicago,  A'pril  llth,  1870.    ) 

Dear  Brother  Kelley  : 

I  think  there  may  be  something  done  for  the  cause  of  the 
people,  and  for  the  Patrons  of  Husbandry,  at  Bloomington,  Ills., 
on  the  20th  inst.  As  you  have  doubtless  noticed,  the  Prairie 
Farmer  has  been  instrumental  in  calling  a  Convention  of  Produ- 
cers at  said  place  and  time,  for  the  purpose  of  devising  means  to 
combat  the  vast  railroad  monopolies  that  threaten  to  overwhelm 
the  country.  Organization  is  the  one  thing  needful  to  attain  the 
end  sought  for.  You  will  remember  our  conversation  regarding 
the  Patrons,  as  an  efficient  organization  for  this  purpose.  The 
more  I  thought  of  the  matter  the  more  convinced  have  I  become, 
that  in  this  is  a  great  ground  for  hope. 

In  an  editorial  this  week  urging  attendance  at  this  Convention, 
the  Prairie  Farmer  will  hint  at  this  Order  as  furnishing  the  pos- 
sible means  of  deliverance.  This  will,  in  a  measure,  prepare  the 
public  mind  for  a  diversion  in  this  direction.  It  will  be  neces- 
sary to  follow  the  suggestion  up  with  a  full  declaration  of  the 
objects  and  aims  of  the  Patrons,  and  to  show  people  present  that 


24-6  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

something  may  be  done.  No  one  so  well  as  yourself  can  do  this, 
and  I  therefore  address  you  to  most  earnestly  urge  you  to  be  pre- 
sent on  this  occasion.  I  consider  it  the  best  opportunity  that  has 
ever  offered  for  the  Order  to  make  itself  felt,  and  to  give  it  an 
impetus  among  the  people.  I  am  confident  that  some  organiza- 
tion will  be  recommended  there.  If  the  Patrons  are  fairly  brought 
before  them,  it  is  my  impression  it  may  be  adopted.  The  move- 
ment against  monopolies  is  bound  to  be  a  strong  one  and  an 
earnest  one.  The  producers  are  fully  aroused  to  the  conflict. 
Some  of  our  oldest  men  arc  identified  with  the  movement.  *  * 
It  is  a  busy  time  of  year,  but  we  hope  for  a  large  attendance. 
You  must  be  present,  fully  prepared  to  make  a  telling  appeal  for 
the  cause  through  the  organization  to  which  you  have  already 
devoted  so  much  time  and  labor.  You  can  do  more  for  it  here 
in  a  single  day  than  in  months  in  the  usual  manner.  Please  let 
me  hear  that  you  will  be  present. 

Yours  in  haste,  W.  W.  Corbett. 

I  wrote  Brother  Corbett  in  reply,  that  it  woukl 
not  be  possible  for  me  to  be  in  Bloomington,  and 
expressed  a  wish  that  he  would  so  arrange  it  that 
the  right  men  would  be  put  on  the  committee 
on  plan  of  organization,  so  the  Patrons  would  not 
be  overlooked.  It  was  suggested  that  a  Farmer's 
League  be  established.  This  was  advocated  by 
Brother  "Wheeler,  and  the  committee  on  permanent 
organization  consisted  of  Brothers  Corbett,  "Wheeler 
and  Reynolds — every  way  appropriate,  as  subsequent 
events  proved. 

In  answer  to  Brother  Saunders'  letter,  in  which 


Wor/c  of  the  Year  iSyo.  2^7 

ho  referred  to  Mr.  Eryan,  I  told  liim  of  a  dream,  in 
which  I  had  the  pleasure  of  meeting  Mr.  Bryan,  and 
the  result  was  a  liberal  tender  of  aid  in  funds.  The 
fact  is,  my  vision  was  in  broad  day  light,  and  the 
impression  that  I  would  personally  receive  aid  from 
him  was  very  forcibly  made  on  my  mind,  so  much 
so  that  when  afterwards  having  the  honor  of  making 
Mr.  Bryan's  acquaintance,  and  receiving  funds  from 
him,  I  felt  assured  that  success  would  result  from 
his  assistance,  and  every  dollar  he  should  furnish 
would  be  returned.  As  will  be  seen,  his  aid  was 
timely. 

Brother  Saunders  wrote  me  as  follows  : 

April  12th,  1870. 
Dkar  Kelley  : 

I  have  read  over  your  letters  and  do  not  think  we  differ 

greatly  in  our  ideas  about  things  in  general.     As  you  remarked, 

Caud  you  will  remember  I  have  always  held  that  doctrine),  we 

must  have,  first  of  all,  eflBcient  Deputies.     What  can  we  do  even 

with  money  unless  we  have  deputies  that  can  organize,  and 

where  have  we  any  ?*    All  these  Deputies  you  make  on  flying 

trips  cannot  know  anything  about  the  Ritual.         *        *        * 

YLsterday  I  had  a  telegram  from  the  Prairie  Farmer,  asking  if 

th';re  were  any  objections  to  them  publishing  the  Constitution. 

I  answered,  "  iVo  objection.'''     This  looks  as  if  they  meant  to 

recognize  our  work.     I  tell  you  it  is  going  now  and  cannot  be 

*If  memory  serves  me  right,  I  instructed  quite  a  number  of  Depu- 
ties who  did  good  work;  at  least  the  Order  has  grown  some  from 
those  early  efforts. 


24^8  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

stopped,  even  if  we  were  to  try,  Mr.  Hutcliinson  left  last  week 
for  Kansas.  *  *  *  He  intends  to  look  after  some 
business  matters  there,  and  then  buy  a  horse  and  ride  through 
Kentucky  and  Tennessee  to  look  out  a  settlement  for  our  head- 
quarters. *  *  *  Seriously,  we  have  a  big  work  on 
our  hands,  and  of  all  the  members  of  the  National  Grange,  you 
and  I  seem  to  do  the  work.        *        *        * 

Yours,  William  Saunders. 

This  from  W.  D.  Haley : 

Indianapolis,  A'pril  ^tJi,  1870. 
Dear  Kelley  : 

I  wrote  you  at  Cleveland,  stating  that  the  man  who  made 

the  translation  charges  thirty  dollars,  which  I  consider  very  low. 

Please  attend  to  the  matter.     Shall  1  forward  you  the  MS.  ? 

Yours  truly,  W.  D.  Haley. 

To  this  I  replied : 

Itasca,  Minn.,  April  IStJi,  1870. 
My  Dear  Haley  : 

Take  the  Dispensation  Fees  of  the  next  two  Granges  you 

organize  and  pay  for  that  translation ;  in  the  meantime  send  it 

to  me  that  I  may  have  it  examined  by  a  competent  person. 

Yours,  O.  H,  K. 

This  was  a  bill  contracted  without  any  authority, 
and  as  we  were  not  in  funds  could  see  no  better  way 
to  pay  it.  But  the  two  Granges  were  never  organ- 
ized. 

To  Brother  Saunders: 

OwATONNA,  Minn.,  A2)nl  12(h,  1870. 
Dear  Brother  Saunders  : 

I  enclose  you  slips  that  will  show  you  how  the  wind  blows 


Wor/c  of  the  Year  iSyo.  2^g 

out  west  about  monopolies.  The  people  are  waking  up,  and 
the  farmers  will  see  the  advantage  of  a  permanent  organization 
like  the  Patrons.  *  *  *  I  find  the  way  to  get  ideas 
from  the  people  is  to  go  among  them  and  talk. 

Yours  in  haste,  O.  H.  K. 

On  the  IStli  of  April,  1870,  Brother  T.  A.  Thomp- 
son reported  the  organization  of  his  first  Grange, 
at  Lincohi,  "Wabasha  County,  Minnesota. 

The  following  cheerful  note  shows  a  liberal,  gen- 
erous feeling,  which  was  encouraging : 

Dakota  Grange,  No.  15,  P.  of  n., ) 
April  23rf,  1870.  ^ 

O.  H.  Kelley  : 

Worthy  Brother  : 

Enclosed  please  find  our  last  Quarterly  Report. 
We  have  a  grand  entertainment  next  week,  Thursday,  consist- 
ing of  theatrical  performances,  singing  and  supper  ;  to  conclude 
with  a  social  hop.  The  proceeds  to  go  towards  purchasing  a 
Library  for  the  Grange.  Should  be  pleased  to  see  you  at  that 
time.  Fraternally  yours,        R.  E.  Judson,  Secretary. 

From  Saunders: 

Dear  Kelley  : 

I  will  mail  the  revised  Manual  on  Monday.  What  about 
the  designs  for  Jewels  ?  The  Grange  here  asks  me  the  question, 
Where  are  the  designs  ?  *  *  *  I  am  sorry  you 
could  not  publish  the  circular,  because  I  fear  that  the  Granges 
will  think  we  do  nothing  for  them,  and  that  would  show  they 
were  not  forgotten.  I  received  your  note  with  the  dream  in  it, 
just  before  sending  this  to  the  mail.    Well,  the  dream  reads  as  if 


2S0  Pativns  of  Husbandry. 

you  had  dreamed  it,  that's  a  fact— hope  it  will  come  true.  Just 
received  a  note  from  N.  J.  Coleman,  of  the  Rural  World,  St. 
Louis,  saying  that  he  has  any  quantity  of  letters  asking  about  the 
Patrons'.  Wants  to  know  how  he  can  join,  and  how  he  can 
organize.  He  says  that  he  could  establish  many  Granges  in  the 
State  in  a  short  time,  if  he  was  qualified.  We  must  arrange  it  so 
that  you  can  go  down  there  during  summer  or  fall  and  set  the 
thing  going. 

Get  home  as  soon  as  you  can  and  see  that  the  Deputies  are 
kept  in  good  trim.  We  want  more  good  Deputies — men  who 
know  the  work  well.        *        *        *  TfV.  Saunders. 

The  montli  of  April  had  been  a  very  active  one 
in  correspondence,  and  at  our  home  we  felt  that  a 
good  work  had  been  done.  I  had  several  interviews 
with  Judge  Underwood,  Col.  Robertson,  and  others, 
at  St.  Paul,  which,  with  the  suggestions  in  the  letters 
from  correspondents,  gave  me  food  for  reflection  and 
fixed  plans  of  work  in  my  mind. 

From  T.  A.  Thompson: 

Plain  VIEW  Minn.,  May  1st,  1870. 
O.  H.  Kelley  : 

Deau  Sir  and  Brother  : 

*  *  *  Allow  me  to  suggest,  Brother  Kelley, 
that  I  think  there  ought  to  be  a  few  changes,  or  rather  additions, 
made  to  the  work  of  our  Order.  There  is  a  deficiency  in  recogni- 
tion. I  would  have  more  signs  of  recognition,  or  rather  a  grip 
with  each  degree.  It  appears  that  the  first  tliree  degrees  are  now 
stripped  of  some  features  that  ought  to  appertain.  I  am  anxious 
to  see  you  and  talk  over  the  work  of  our  Order.     I  like  it  very 


JVor/c  of  tlic   Year  iSyo.  251 

much,  and  desire  to  become  posted  ;  then  if  an  opportunity  offers 
•whereby  I  can  aid  you  iu  extending  the  work,  I  would  be  glad 
to  do  so.        *        *        *  T.  A.  TnoMrsoN. 

Amoiiff  numerous  other  letters  which  were  now 
coming  in,  I  find  one  from  J.  II.  Oakwood,  which 
is  a  fair  sample  of  the  rest. 

Fairmount,  Vermillion  Coukty,  III.,  ) 
May  Qth,  1870.  j 

Sir  : 

I  would  like  to  become  a  member  of  the  Order  of  Patrons 

of  Husbandry,  and  organize  it  in  this  county,  if  there  is  no  organ- 
ization already.  I  am  at  present,  and  have  been  for  ten  years. 
President  of  our  County  Agricultural  Society,  and  am  extensively 
acquainted  throughout  the  county,  and  know  the  best  material 
to  select  to  make  the  organization  efficient.  I  have  noticed  the 
articles  referring  to  the  Order,  in  the  Prairie  Farmer.     *     *     * 

Yours,  J.  H.  Oakwood. 

From  McDowell : 

Wayne,  N.  Y.,  May  Hth,  1870. 
My  Dear  Kelley  : 

Yours  of  April  18th  came  to  hand  in  my  absence,  and  has 

been  overlooked.     I  hasten  to  assure  you  that  I  still  live,  and 

will  write  you  at  length  in  a  day  or  two.    Am  but  just  home  from 

Lake  Ontario,  where  I  have  been  on  business.     God  bless  j^ou, 

and  believe  me  as  ever        Yours  in  the  faith,        F.  M.  McD. 

The  matter  of  jewels  was  one  of  some  interest  to 
us,  and  it  will  do  no  harm  to  give  its  history  a  little 
attention.  The  early  promises  we  made,  in  getting 
under  way,  may  have  been  forgotten. 


2^2  .  Patrons  of  Husbajidiy. 

Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  May  5th,  1870. 
O.  n.  Kellet,  Esq.  : 

Dear  Sir  : 

Your  letter  of  the  28th  of  April  is  at  hand  this  morn- 
ing, and  I  hasten  to  answer  it.  Expected  you  to  call  upon  us,  and 
then  I  went  East  and  to  Washington,  and  called  on  Brother  Grosh, 
purposely  to  consult  on  the  business  of  getting  up  your  Emblems. 
Brother  G.  said  you  had  been  quite  sick,  and  he  promised  he 
would  write  to  you.  I  requested  him  to  say  to  you  that  I  was 
ready  to  go  to  work  and  get  up  the  dies.  Since  my  return,  sick- 
ness in  my  family  has  kept  me  fi'om  my  business  four  weeks. 
We  are  ready  to  take  hold  of  these  emblems  at  once.  I  also  re- 
quested Brother  G.  to  say  that  we  will  get  up  these  dies  ;  you  to 
agree  to  take  say  one  hundred  sets,  or  that  number  in  a  given 
time.  I  have  just  consulted  with  our  foreman  as  to  the  time  and 
work  upon  them.  *  *  *  They  will  be  very  fine, 
and  the  most  unique  emblems  in  use.  We  have  estimated  them 
to  you  (for  the  eleven  squares  or  fields,  and  three  stars)  at  twelve 
dollars  per  set.  After  we  make  say  one  to  three  hundred  sets, 
we  will  try  and  do  better  for  you.  These  at  this  price  will  be 
cheaper  than  any  fine  emblems  made.     Your  early  reply  to  this, 

and  we  will  put  the  dies  in  hand. 

Joseph  Seymour  &  Son. 

To  Joseph  Seymour  &  Son : 

Itasca,  Mikn.,  3fay  16t7i,  1870. 
Gents  : 

Your  favor  of  5th  received,  and  the  subject  has  been  duly 
considered.  We  now,  to  secure  uniformity  in  Regalia,  etc.,  re- 
quire all  Granges  to  order  the  same  through  my  office.  They  are 
sent  by  express,  C.  O.  D.  I  suggest  to  you  that  you  furnish  me 
with  say  ten  sets  of  emblems  at  a  time,  and  as  fast  as  they  are 
paid  for  by  the  Granges  ordering  them,  the  money  will  be  remit- 


I'Vor/c  of  the  Year  jSyo.  2^3 

ted  to  you.  We  aim  to  have  all  our  business  witli  the  Subordi- 
nate Granges  on  a  cash  system,  and  have  no  trouble.  If  the 
emblems  are  here  I  can  have  them  put  upon  the  sashes  in  a 
proper  manner,  and  all  alike.  I  presume  all  the  Granges  now  at 
work  will  order  emblems.  I  have  not  heard  from  Brother  Grosh 
since  I  left  Washington. 

If  you  prefer  to  have  the  Granges  order  direct  from  you,  it  will 
suit  me  just  as  well,  and  relieve  me  of  any  responsibility.  If 
you  will  let  me  know  when  they  will  be  ready,  I  will  notify 
all  the  Granges,  and  also  put  the  price  on  the  circular  relative  to 
Regalia.        I  remain  yours  fraternally,         O.  H.  Kelley, 

Secretary  National  Grange. 

I  found,  on  receiving  the  first  lot,  that  we  had 
made  a  mistake  in  the  number  of  pieces  wanted  for 
each  set,  and  having  to  add  more,  the  price  was  in- 
creased to  fifteen  dollars.  It  will  be  observed  that 
by  a  vote  at  the  annual  meeting  the  year  previous,  the 
Secretary  was  instructed  to  furnish  regalia,  and  at 
the  last  meeting,  to  provide  other  materials.  I  then 
issued  circulars  to  all  new  Granges,  stating  what 
could  be  obtained  through  my  ofiice,  and  continued 
to  do  so  up  to  March,  1874. 

From  Saunders : 

Washington,  May  lUJi,  1870. 
Brother  Kelley  : 

*  *  *  *  You  are  right  about  work  in  the  Fourth 
Degree,  but  in  these  matters  you  must  exercise  your  own  wise 
discretion.  I  have  looked  over  the  Manual  carefully,  and  ex- 
punged what  I  thought  out  of  place  and  irrelevant,  but  am  not 


z^/f.  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

infallible,  and  will  give  way  to  wiser  judgments.  You  can  add 
to  it  where  you  think  necessary  to  do  so.  The  ceremony  of 
the  Memorial  Tree  seems  to  start  on  the  idea  that  Cemetery 
Associations  have  no  rights  the  Patrons  of  Husbandry  are  bound 
to  respect        *        *        * 

I  am  still  receiving  letters  concerning  the  Order,  and  referring 
them  to  the  proper  Deputies ;  have  received  about  eighty  since 
you  left.  One  came  to  hand  this  morning,  which  I  enclose  for 
you  to  answer.        *        *        *  Wm.  Saunders. 

From  W.  A.  Simpson  : 

Stockton,  Tenn.,  May  \Uh,  1870. 
O.  H.  Kelley, — Dear  Sir  : 

Having  been  referred  to  you  by  the  Master  of  the  National 
Grange,  for  further  information,  I  wish  to  ask  whether  the  Order 
is  instituted  in  Tennessee  yet ;  and  if  so,  where,  and  who  to  ad- 
dress ?  Any  information  will  be  thankfully  received,  as  I  am 
rather  an  inquisitive  Odd  Fellow. 

Very  respectfully,  W.  A.  Simpson. 

From  Gen.  Wm.  Duane  Wilson : 

Des  Moines,  Iowa,  May  UtJi,  1870. 
My  Dear  Kelley  : 

Your  favor  of  the  6th  received.  The  communication  ap- 
pears this  week.  Supposing  that  Enos,  acting  as  Deputy,  had 
superseded  my  appointment,  have  done  nothing ;  but  as  I  am 
now  on  out-of-door  work,  think  I  can  do  considerable  this  sum- 
mer. So  consider  me  in,  and  send  me  a  dozen  blank  petitions.  I 
shall  give  the  Order  a  fair  trial.         *        *        * 

Very  truly  yours,  Wm.  Duane  Wilsoi?'. 

Tlie  following  from  A.  A.  Baylej,  gave  us  much 
pleasure,  and  proved  that  the  fire  was  spreading : 


Worl'  of  the   Year  iSyo.  ^55 

Pilot  Hill,  Calipoknia,  May  IGi/i,  1870. 
Mk.  O.  II.  Kelley, — Dear  Siit : 

I  received  a  copy  of  Constitution  and  By-Laws  of  the  Patrons 
of  Husbandry  a  few  days  ago.  After  a  careful  perusal,  I  have 
come  to  the  conclusion  the  Order  is  a  good  one,  and  would  flourish 
in  this  State.  We  would  very  much  like  to  have  a  Grange  or- 
ganized at  Pilot  Hill.  Is  there  any  person  authorized  in  California 
to  institute  Granges  ?     An  early  answer  will  oblige 

Yours  truly,  A.  A.  Batley 

To  Sam.  E.  Adams  : 

Itasca,  Minn.,  May  20th,  1870. 
Dear  Sam.  : 

I  am  making  arrangements  to  leave  Minnesota  for  Wash- 
ington and  devote  my  whole  time  to  the  interests  of  the  Order. 
I  desire  to  make  your  Grange  a  present  of  my  Library,  con- 
sisting of  several  hundred  volumes.  I  will  not  say  anything  of 
the  intrinsic  value  of  the  works,  (three  cents  a  pound  any  how), 
but  it  will  make  the  nucleus  of  something  better.  A  large  por- 
tion of  the  books  undoubtedly  cost  the  Government  considerable 
money.  I  will  cheerfully  throw  in  Bibles,  prayer  books,  and 
''  sich  like,"  enough  to  run  a  good  sized  church.  I  have  not 
time  to  catalogue  the  books,  but  if  you  will  accept,  all  right. 

Yours  fraternally,  O.  H.  K. 

In  reply  to  Gen.  "Wilson,  I  wrote  liim : 

May  23d,  1870. 
My  Dear  General  : 

Go  ahead,  and  let  them  see  at  Washington  that  you  mean 

"biz."     The  only  way  to  organize  is  to  go  among  the  people 

and  make  them  wake  up  and  take  hold.     Deputies  may  write 

letters  till  doom's-day  and  never  organize  a  Grange,  but  the  man 

who  personally  talks  to  the  people  invariably  wins.       *      *      * 


2^6  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

What  we  want  is  active  men  traveling  all  over  tlie  country,  and 
whenever  you  find  one  whom  you  can  recommend  as  a  Deputy, 
give  me  his  name.  O.  H.  K. 

The  first  loss  to  a  Grange  by  fire  was  that  of 
Granite  State  Grange,  at  Rice  Lake,  Minnesota, 
which  was  reported  May  23d,  1870. 

On  the  23d  of  May,  I  received  from  Brother  Cor- 
bett  a  lengthy  letter,  which  I  read  at  the  June  meet- 
ing of  the  State  Grange  of  Minnesota.  It  gave  such 
general  satisfaction  that  it  was  ordered  to  be  printed 
for  circulation,  and  reads  as  follows  : 

Prairie  Farmer  Office,  ) 
Chicago,  May  20th,  1870.  f 
O.  H.  Kelley, 

Secretary  of  the  National  Grange,  P.  of  H.  : 
Dear  Sir  and  Brother  : 

It  seems  to  me  that  we,  as  an  Order,  have  a 
work  to  perform  in  the  war  that  is  to  be  waged  in  this  country, 
at  no  distant  day,  by  the  people,  against  the  monstrous  monopo- 
lies that  are  overshadowing  us.  Railroad,  Insurance  Companies, 
Warehouse  and  Telegraph  Companies,  are  crushing  the  life  out 
of  the  producing  classes.  I  need  not  attempt  an  elaborate  show- 
ing of  their  power,  or  their  unscrupulous  use  of  it.  Every  Patron 
of  Husbandry  is  aware  of  the  fact.  It  is  but  to-day  that  I  read 
in  the  dispatches  from  England,  that  the  London  Times,  the 
great  exponent  of  popular  feeling  and  thought  in  England,  char- 
acterizes the  operations  of  the  managers  of  the  Erie  Railway  as 
on  a  par,  (or  worse,)  with  those  of  the  Greek  bandits  that  have 
lately  pillaged  and  ravished  on  the  road  from  Athens  to  Mara- 
thon.    It  points  out  how  the  credit  of  the  whole  country  is  suffer- 


IVor/:  of  the  Year  i8yo.  257 

ing  from  an  example  like  this,  and  asks  how  we  can  expect 
foreign  capital  to  seek  investment  in  improvements  here,  if  our 
Legislatures  and  Courts  are  to  set  aside  all  justice  and  right  in  tlio 
treatment  of  foreign  stockholders,  and  to  favor  unlimited  plunder 
by  powerful  and  unscrupulous  local  managers. 

We  know  the  claim  of  vested  rights  that  Railroad  Companies, 
in  the  West  especially,  lay  claim  to.  A  corporation,  on  the  plea 
of  public  interests,  gets  the  right  of  way,  condemns  property — our 
very  homesteads,  perhaps  ;  to  do  this,  they  are  public  corporations, 
acting  for  the  public  good.  The  charter  and  right  of  way  once 
gained,  this  public  character  ceases,  and  railroad  companies  are 
private  institutions  and  not  amenable  to  Legislatures  or  Courts, 
because  the  legislature  has  given  away  its  power  to  regulate  them. 
They  can  extort,  oppress,  rob.  They  can  discriminate  in  favor 
of  certain  localities  and  individuals  ;  they  can  combine  with 
owners  of  warehouses,  or  build  warehouses  of  their  own,  and 
force  shippers  to  pay  toll  on  every  bushel  of  grain  that  passes' 
over  their  road  ;  they  can  and  do  refuse  to  deliver  grain  or  other 
produce,  except  to  such  persons  or  companies  as  may  pay  into 
their  own  coffers. 

It  is  alleged  that  Eastern  roads  are  purchasing  our  Lake 
Marine,  so  that  freight  sent  East  by  lake  to  pass  over  the  Erie 
Canal,  must  pay  a  large  advance  over  that  consigned  to  go  by 
rail  from  that  point  to  the  seaboard.  You,  wheat  growers  of  Min- 
nesota, who  pay  three  times  as  much  to  get  yo.ur  crops  to  New 
York  as  it  costs  to  send  it  from  there  to  Liverpool,  feel  and  know 
that  the  hand  of  the  giant  oppressor  is  upon  you.  You  know  how 
the  monopolists  scoff  at  and  ridicule  all  efforts  that  are  made  to 
send  your  grain  by  way  of  the  Mississippi  river.  You  know 
how  the  lines  running  North-west  from  this  city  have  been  con- 
solidated so  as  to  avoid  competition,  and  you  know  that  each  year 
the  monopoly  extends.    Knowing  all  these  things,  and  feeling 

17 


2_^8  Patrons  of  Husbandry 

deeply  the  burden  that  is  being  laid  upon  us,  what  are  we  to  do  ? 
simply  meet  power  with  power  ;  meet  organization  with  organi- 
zation. "We,  as  Patrons  op  Husbandry,  have  united  for  com- 
mon good  and  for  common  protection.  We  are  to  protect  our 
own  interests,  because  we  know  that  our  interests  are  fundamental, 
that  our  prosperity  means  the  prosperity  of  the  nation.  "We 
know  that  justice  to  us  as  producers,  means  no  injustice  to  others. 
"We  trample  on  no  man's  just  rights,  never  have  and  never  shall ; 
let  us  resolve  to  have  no  man  or  corporation  trample  upon  ours. 

"We  must  have  our  State  Governments  to  declare  that  when 
corporations,  of  whatever  kind  or  nature,  are  managed  to  the 
detriment  of  public  interests,  their  charters  shall  be  forfeited. 
In  brief,  that  the  State  knows  no  power  above  that  of  the  people  ; 
that  railroad  and  other  transportation  companies  can  exist  only 
so  long  as  they  subserve  public  interest.  Let  us  have  Legisla- 
tures and  Judges  learn  that  all  political  power  is  inherent  in  and 
must  always  remain  with  the  people. 

"We  must  talk  and  labor  to  extend  our  Order,  and  to  inculcate 
these  views  of  the  dangers  we  are  in,  and  the  remedies  at  com- 
mand among  outsiders  as  well  as  among  members  of  the  Order. 

With  our  social  feature  to  draw  us  together  and  harmonize  us, 
with  our  intellectual  feature  to  school  and  educate  us,  with  our 
mystic  feature  to  keep  us  wary  and  discreet,  we  shall  present  sucli 
an  esprit  du  corps  as  shall  make  our  least  word  significant,  and 
our  least  act  a  power. 

We  must  not  be  political  in  the  common  acceptation  of  the 
term,  only  so  far  as  to  control  politicians  and  oflBce-holders— to 
make  them  talk,  legislate  and  decide  on  the  side  of  the  people  all 
the  time — only  so  far  as  to  protect  our  own  just  interests,  doing 
injustice  to  no  man  who  is  in  pursuit  of  a  legitimate  business  that 
does  harm  to  none.  We  must  be  a  third  party,  to  hold  the 
balance  of  power  (I  think  now  we  need  not  go  beyond  this),  then. 


Work  of  the   Year  i8jo.  2jg 

wLicliever  party  will  declare  itself  to  stand  on  our  platform,  and 
whichever  candidate  mMU  unqualifiedly  pledge  himself  to  carry 
out  tlie  reforms  we  may  demand,  such  party  and  such  candidates 
should  receive  our  votes. 

Whenever  we  present  formidable  numbers,  all  candidates  will 
be  at  our  feet,  and  we  can  then  divide  up  and  vote  with  which- 
ever party  we  please,  in  accordance  with  other  issues  and  pro- 
clivities, for  our  own  great  interests  will  be  safe  with  either.  If 
we  have  the  best  men  in  our  Order,  we  must  give  them  the 
offices,  but  in  general  we  shall  not  need  to  go  into  a  political 
organization  by  ourselves. 

These  are  some  of  my  views,  hastily  and  imperfectly  presented. 
They  are  not  new,  but  are  held  by  a  large  and  growing  number 
of  our  best  men.  Opposition  to  monopolies  seems  to  me  to  be  en- 
tirely consistent  with  the  design  of  our  Order  ;  with  it  as  one  of 
the  watch-words,  I  believe  we  have  the  opportunity  of  extending 
our  Granges  indefinitely  throughout  all  these  North-western 
States.  Yours  fraternally,  W.  W.  Corbett. 

This  was  boldly  striking  out  in  a  direction  that 
would  find  us  an  able  adversary.  I  had  some  mis- 
givings as  to  the  result  of  such  a  war,  but  looked 
upon  the  publication  of  the  letter  as  another  way  of 
bringing  the  Order  more  prominently  before  the 
public. 

From  Saunders: 

Washington,  D.  C,  May  28ih,  1870. 
Dear  Kellet  : 

*        *        *        I  am  still  receiving  two  or  three  letters 

weekly  about  the  Order,  and  answer  them  as  they  come  in.     I 

have  heard  nothing  from  Hutchinson.      We    have    closed    our 


26o  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

Grange  until  October.  It  seems  impossible  to  make  it  go  here, 
where  there  are  so  many  other  interests  to  occupy  attention.         * 

*  *  I  am  glad  you  propose  to  live  here.  Surely  a  living 
can  be  had,  and  we  will  be  glad  to  have  you  with  us  ;  things  will 
go  better  anyhow.  Yours  in  haste,  W.  Saunders. 

From  K.  '^.    Guiteau,   Master    of  the    Dakota 

Grange : 

Farmington,  Minn.,  May  S0t7i,  1870. 
O.  H.  Kellet  : 

Dear  Sik  and  Brother  : 

Yours  of  May  3Gth,  to  E.  C.  Judson,  was  handed  to 

me  last  evening,  and  I  comply  with  your  request  to  send  you  copies 

of  our  songs.     The  first  two — "  The  Husbandman,"  and  "The 

Plow,"  were  written  by  me  for  our  Grange  at  very  short  notice. 

*  *  *  The  song  entitled  the  "Plow,  Spade  and  Hoe," 
I  presume  you  have  seen  before ;  I  took  it  from  some  Massachu- 
setts paper.  I  do  not  know  the  author.  Hope  you  will  put  it  in 
the  collection  you  propose.  Mine  are  at  your  service.  Hoping 
to  meet  you  at  the  State  Grange,  I  remain 

Yours  fraternallj'',  K.  N.  Guiteau. 

In  answer  to  Brother  T.  A.  Thompson's  of  the 
16th,  I  wrote  him  at  length,  and  closed  by  saying : 

The  reputation  you  have  as  a  public  speaker,  prompts  me  to 
urge  you  to  make  up  your  mind  to  devote  the  coming  fall  and 
winter  to  the  work  of  organizing  elsewhere  than  in  Minnesota. 
We  are  short  of  competent  men  as  Deputies  ;  whereas  we  want 
them  by  the  hundred,  in  various  States,  to  pusJi  the  work  ahead. 
If  you  have  a  desire  to  travel  and  make  a  reputation,  I  don't  be- 
lieve you  will  ever  find  another  such  chance  as  we  can  give  you. 
"  The  whole  broad  continent  is  ours  "  for  a  field  to  work  in,  and 


Wor^  of  the   Year  iSyo.  261 

we  want  active  laborers.     The  country  is  ripe  for  such  an  or- 
ganization.       *        *        "^  O.  H.  K. 

Wrote  Corbett  as  follows  : 

May  29</i,  1870. 
My  Dear  Cokbett  : 

*        *        *        I  will  make  my  arrangements  to  be  with 

you  in  Chicago  in  about  three  weeks,  say  the  27th  of  June.     In 

meantime,  get  out  a  good  lively  editorial  that  will  assist  us  in 

organizing.      *        *        *      We  want  printer's  ink  used  lively 

this  summer,  then  in  the  fall  and  winter  there  will  be  no  trouble 

securing  from  fifty  thousand  to  one  hundred  thousand  members 

in  our  Order.     It  is  bound  to  be  a  big  institution  ;  you  need  have 

no  fears  of  investing  in  it.  O,  H.  K. 

May  closed  with  thirteen  new  Granges  since 
January  Ist, — a  total  of  sixty-one  in  the  United 
States.  Our  correspondents  were  rapidly  increasing 
in  number,  and  the  stimulant  which  cheering  letters 
gave  me,  prompted  frequent  communications  to 
our  brothers  in  Washington ;  but,  as  will  be  noticed, 
Brother  Saunders  was  the  only  one  taking  sufficient 
interest  to  reply.  Miss  Hall  was  prompt  in  sending 
the  Monthly  Statement  to  the  Treasurer,  and  our 
letters  gave  a  complete  history  of  the  work  as  it 
progressed. 

On  June  10th,  we  wrote  to  W.  A.  Simpson,  of 
Stockton,  Tennessee,  and  sent  him  the  documents 
for  the  First  Subordinate  Grange  in  Tennessee. 

The  following  is  the  list  of  Charter  Members: 


262  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

Pioneer  Grange  No.  1,  Stockton,  Eoan  County. 

Isaac  A.  Clark,  Maria  I.  Dyche, 

M.  D.  L.  Burnett,  William  Fakris, 

H.  B.  Simpson-,  Martin  L.  Cook, 

Jos.  F.  M'Mahan,  Wm.  C.  Burnett, 

Josephine  M'Mahan,  W.  A.  Simpson, 

S.  C.  Simpson,  Mary  A.  Simpson, 

W.  H.  Dyche,  J.  C.  Pope, 
1'  Levi  Johnson. 

From  McDowell: 

Wayne,  K  Y.,  June  10th,  1870. 
My  Dear  Kelley  : 

Your  laconic  epistle  of  2cl  instant  came  duly  to  hand.     I 

hardly  know  what  to  say  in  reply,  except  it  is — I  cannot  do  the 

work  you  wish  of  me,  for  several  reasons, — among  which  I  might 

mention  a  lack  of  brains  in  the  proper  place  to  be  of  any  service 

in  the  work  in  hand.     It  is  out  of  my  line,  Kelley,  and  you 

should  know  it  as  well  as  I.     Am  willing  to  do  anything  within 

the  scope  of  my  abilities  to  further  the  interests  of  the  Order,  but  I 

have  too  much  to  do  in  the  summer  time  to  give  the  requisite 

thought  to  the  subject  which  its  importance  demands.     As  I 

have  written  you  before,  my  health  is  such  that  I  am  just  able  to 

crawl  about.     I  have  to  look  after  about  one  thousand  acres  of 

farm  and  seventy -five  acres  of  vineyard,  and  this  keeps  me  drilled 

right  down.     I  hope  to  have  some  si>are  time  this  winter,  and 

will  give  it  to  you  in  Washington,  Chicago,  or  most  any  place 

you  may  think  of. 

I  am  much  pleased  with  the  reports  of  progress  which  you 

have  made,  and  hope  you  will  write  me  as  often  and  fully  as  your 

leisure  will  permit.     If  I  have  any  papers  and  documents  which 

you  need,  write  me,  and  I  will  send  them. 

Yours,  F.  M.  McD. 


IVor/v  of  the  Year  jSjo,  26j 

The  following]:  from  Brother  McDowell,  of  a  later 
date,  will  more  fully  explain  the  preceding : 

June  ^nth,  1870. 
My  Dear  Kelley  : 

I  am  in  receipt  of  yours  of  18th  instant,  and  hasten  to  soml 

you   all  the  memoranda  I  can  find  bearing  on  the  point.     Your 

idea  is  now,  I  take  it,  to  have  a  Degree  of  Demeter    (members 

to  be  called  Knights  and  Ladies),  above  and  beyond  the  Sixth 

and  Seventh  Degrees.     I  think  that  the  idea  is  a  good  one,  and 

if  properly  carried  out,  cannot  fail  to  be  of  great  importance  to 

the  Order.         *        *        * 

You  say  that  you  are  going  to  Washington  with  your  family  ; 

do  you  then  give  up  your  farm  ?   Write  often,  and  believe  me 

always  yours,  F.  M.  McDowell. 

From  Brother  C.  Paulk : 

Waukon,  Iowa,  June  20<A,  1870. 
Dear  Sir  and  Brother  : 

Yours  of  the  IGth  received,  and  lead  with  much  pleasure. 
Enclosed  find  petition  and  fifteen  dollars  for  Frankville  Grange. 
They  live  about  fourteen  miles  from  here,  so  I  advance  the  fee 
to  save  time.         *        *        * 

As  soon  as  you  are  ready  to  supply  orders  for  Jewels  and  Re- 
galia, please  inform  me  by  letter,  with  price  list,  etc. 

Mail  dispensation  to  me,   and   I  will  notify  the  Frankville 
Grange,  and  appoint  a  time  to  meet  them  for  organization. 

Very  truly  your  friend  and  brother,  C.  Paulk. 

The  documents  were  sent,  and  the  Waukon 
Grange  went  there  in  a  body  to  establish  the  Grange. 
At  that  meeting  Brother  Dudley  W.  Adams  made  his 


264.  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

first  speech  in  behalf  of  the  Patrons,  and  as  it  was 
among  the  first,  if  not  the  first,  in  that  State,  I  make 
a  hberal  quotation,  which  contains  good  sound 
advice,  particularly  the  first  paragraph,  and  is  appli- 
cable to  the  weak-kneed  in  the  Order  at  the  present 
time : 

A  ship  is  on  tne  broad  Ocean,  freighted  with  a  thousand  souls. 
"Without  organization  and  united  effort  what  will  be  its  fate  ? 
A  storm  arises.  The  wind  blows,  the  waves  roll,  lightnings  play 
and  thunders  crash.  A  thousand  people,  wild  with  fright,  rush 
madly  about ;  a  thousand  voices  give  a  thousand  diverse  com- 
mands ;  a  thousand  plans  of  safety  are  clamorously  urged  by 
a  thousand  screaming  voices.  Confusion  reigns  supreme ;  and 
the  great  ship  drifts  helplessly  before  the  wind  and  waves.  There 
is  no  union  of  effort.  Again  :  these  same  persons  shall  be  prop- 
erly organized  and  united.  Danger  threatens.  The  clear,  strong 
voice  of  the  captain  rings  out  above  the  howling  wind.  Each 
man  springs  to  his  appointed  post.  Command  follows  command, 
and  is  quickly  executed.  Sails  are  put  in  trim  ;  steam  is  up  ; 
pilot  is  at  the  wheel.  The  great  vessel  is  as  deftly  handled  as  a 
mother  handles  her  laughiijg  babe. 

A  railroad  is  to  be  built.  One  man  here,  another  there,  and 
another  yonder,  join  their  forces  and  funds,  and  soon,  where  the 
slow  and  patient  oxen  toiled  through  mud  or  dust,  the  locomo- 
tive outstrips  the  wind,  bearing  in  its  train  the  people  and  wealth 
of  a  nation. 

Again :  men  unite  their  capital  and  intelligence,  invade  the 
realms  of  space,  and  having  captured  and  tamed  lightning  itself, 
employ  it  in  carrying  their  messages. 

Through  all  the  business  relations  of  civilized  life,  unions  of 
various  kinds  are  the  rule,  and  the  more  i^erfect  they  are  the  greater 


Wor^  of  the  Year  iSyo.  265 

the  strength.  Merchants  have  their  Board  of  Trade,  Shoemakers 
have  Knights  of  St.  Crispin.  Lawyers  have  their  conventions, 
and  Physicians  their  conclaves,  where  prices  are  fixed,  and  no 
one  dare  disobey  the  edicts  of  these  unions.  But  how  is  it  with 
the  Agriculturist  ?  Alas!  we  have  nothing  of  the  kind.  Each 
one  is  working  away  against  all  the  world  and  against  each 
other,  unaided  and  alone.  Immense  in  numbers  and  wealth ; 
superior  to  any  other  calling  in  these  great  sources  of  power — 
yet  we  are  powerless.  An  immense  helpless  mob  surging  to  and 
fro,  without  aim  or  method ;  the  little  squads  of  well  drilled 
lawyers  and  doctors  charge  through  and  through  our  poor  dis- 
ordered mass,  and  freely  plunder  our  pockets.  Railroads,  tele- 
graphs, commission  men,  mechanics,  join  in  the  pursuit  with  no 
fear  of  successful  resistance.  Like  rabbits,  we  are  the  prey  of 
hawks  by  day,  and  owls  and  foxes  by  night.  Is  there  no  remedy 
for  this  ?  Is  there  anything  in  the  occupation  of  agriculture 
that  makes  a  man  legitimate  prey  for  all  the  human  vampires 
that  infest  the  earth  ?  Is  the  business  of  tilling  the  soil  so  be- 
numbing to  the  mind  and  all  the  finer  sensibilities,  that  we  can 
contentedly  accept  and  endure  this  state  of  affairs  ?  Are  we  will- 
ing to  admit  that,  strong  as  we  are  in  numbers  and  wealth,  we 
are  incapable  of  self-defence  ? 

Is  there  not  enough  of  mind  in  our  ranks  to  devise  and  execute 
a  plan  for  our  redemption  from  the  position  of  slaves  we  now 
occupy  ?  For  one,  when  I  look  abroad  upon  these  wide  prairies, 
the  granaries  of  the  world,  owned  by  those  who  till  them,  and 
holding  in  their  hands  such  elements  of  power,  I  must  admit 
shame  mantles  my  face  that  no  systematic  effort  is  made  for 
its  use,  at  least  in  self-defence.  A  farmer  has  a  field  of  wheat 
ready  for  the  sickle,  and  it  must  be  cut.  Laborers  fix  the  price 
at  which  they  will  assist  in  the  harvest ;  the  farmer  submits. 
Threshers  fix  among  themselves  the  price  they  will  have  for 


266  Patro7is  of  Husbaiidry . 

threshing,  and  again  the  farmer  submits.  The  railroad  compa- 
nies fix  the  price  at  which  they  -n-ill  carry  the  grain  to  Chicago  ; 
elevators  fix  the  price  of  handling  it;  and  buyers  finally  agree 
liow  much  they  will  give  for  it ;  and  each  one  of  these  middle 
men  takes  such  a  slice  as  he  pleases,  and  the  farmer  timidly  sub- 
mits. This  wheat  now  goes  through  steamers,  sloops,  more 
elevators,  more  speculators,  canals,  railroads,  etc.  ;  each  one  ab- 
solutely making  his  own  terms,  and  only  the  producer  and  con- 
sumer are  helpless.  These  two  classes,  the  most  deserving  of  all, 
are  the  victims  of  a  few  classes,  small  in  numbers  but  strong  by 
being  determined  and  thoroughly  united,  yet  having  not  another 
solitary  element  of  strength  at  command.  They  do  not  produce 
a  pound  of  meat,  a  bushel  of  wheat,  a  yard  of  cloth,  or  a  pig  of 
iron.  They  cannot  subsist  a  month  without  us.  We  can  with- 
out them.  We  have  the  power  ;  we  must  use  it.  The  farmers 
have  got  the  lines,  why  don't  they  drive? 

The  State  Grange  of  Minnesota  held  its  Third 
Session,  June  22d,  1870,  at  which,  by  invitation,  I 
gave  them  a  general  review  of  the  work  as  far  as  it 
had  progressed.  At  this  meeting  I  first  met  Brother 
T.  A.  Thompson,  and  enlisted  him  as  one  of  those 
who  could  be  counted  upon  to  drive  the  work  ahead. 

On  the  24th,  Brother  Saunders  wrote  me  from 
Washington  as  follows : 

Dear  Kelley  : 

The  enclosed  resolutions  will,  I  hope,  meet  your  approval 
and  co-operation.  We  are  fearfully  in  the  dark  here  about  the 
Order,  and  we  cannot  make  any  statement,  or  indeed  any  move- 
ment, because  of  our  entire  ignorance  of  the  doings  of  the  Order. 


Wor^  of  the  Year  iSyo.  26 j 

"With  my  mullifarious  duties,  I  cannot  devote  any  great  amount 
of  time  to  llie  work,  and  hence  the  greater  necessity  of  being 
thoroughly  posted,  so  as  to  abbreviate  answers  and  comply  with 
requests.     *        *        *     j  am  yours  very  truly, 

William  Saundeus. 

This  letter  and  the  following  resolutions  produced 
tlien,  as  they  do  now,  no  little  amusement.  It  is  the 
truth  they  were  decidedly  ignorant  of  the  whole 
thing,  from  the  fact  they  did  not  take  interest 
enough  in  my  reports  and  letters,  and  the  numerous 
newspaper  articles  I  mailed,  to  post  themselves. 

"WASiiiNGTOisr,  June  20lh,  1870. 

At  a  Special  Meeting  of  the  National  Grange, 
Patrons  of  Husbandry,  held  at  Washington,  D.  C, 
June  20th,  1870,  duly  called  by  order  of  the  Master, 
the  following  preamble  and  resolutions  were  unani- 
mously adopted:  (Present,  Brothers  Saunders  and 
J.  R.  Thompson.) 

Whereas,  Communications  are  frequently  received  by  the 
Master  of  the  National  Grange,  asking  for  information  in  relation 
to  the  progress  and  working  of  the  Order  ;  and  inquiries  are  con- 
stantly being  made  by  persons  visiting  the  city,  which  it  is  often 
impossible  to  answer,  in  consequence  of  a  lack  of  the  necessary 
information  on  the  part  of  the  Officers  of  the  National  Grange  ; 
and, 

Whereas,  It  is  believed  that  the  interests  of  the  Order  require 
that  the  Archives  of  the  National  Grange  should  be  in  the  pos- 
session of  the  Master,  so  long,  at  least,  as  the  office  of  the  Secre- 
tary is  so  remote  from  Washington,  so  that  they  may  be  at  all 
times  easil}^  accessible  to  the  Officers  of  the  National  Grange  ; 
therefore,  in  order  that  the  National  Grange  may  at  all  times  be 


26S  Patrons  of  Husbandiy. 

in  possession  of  full  and  reliable  information,  and  that  the  busi- 
ness thereof  may  be  accurately  and  systematically  managed,  be  it 

Eesohed,  1st.  That  the  Secretary  is  hereby  directed  to  report 
to  the  ]\Iaster  of  the  National  Grange,  immediately,  the  name, 
number,  and  location,  of  each  Grange  organized  up  to  the  pres- 
ent time,  together  with  the  name  and  address  of  the  Master  and 
Secretary  thereof,  the  date  of  organization,  and  the  number  of 
members  in'each,  so  far  as  known. 

2d.  That  the  Secretary  is  hereby  directed  to  report  to  the  Mas- 
ter of  the  National  Grange  the  name  and  residence  of  each  Dep- 
uty of  the  National  Grange,  together  with  the  dates  of  their  sev- 
eral appointments,  and  the  districts  assigned  to  each. 

3d.  That  each  Deputy  of  the  National  Grange  is  hereby  re- 
quired to  transmit  to  the  Secretary  of  the  National  Grange, 
quarterly,  a  full  report  of  the  business  transacted  by  him,  and 
failing  to  do  so  within  one  month  from  the  expiration  of  any 
quarter,  his  appointment  shall  be  revoked,  and  his  commission 
returned  to  the  National  Grange.  The  Secretary  will  notify  the 
several  Deputies  of  this  requirement. 

4th.  The  Secretary  is  hereby  required,  within  ten  days  of  their 
receipt  by  him,  to  transmit  to  the  Master  of  the  National  Grange, 
the  original  quarterly  reports  of  the  various  Deputies,  as  also  the 
original  quarterly  reports  of  the  Secretary  and  Treasurer  of  the 
State  Granges,  and  of  the  Subordinate  Granges  organized  where 
no  State  Grange  has  been  formed. 

5th.  That  the  Secretary  is  hereby  instructed  to  immediately 
transmit  to  the  Treasurer  of  the  National  Grange,  his  separate 
monthly  report  of  receipts  and  expenditures,  in  due  form,  for 
each  of  the  months  of  November  and  December,  1869,  and  Janu- 
ary, February,  March,  April,  and  May,  1870,*  and  that  hereafter 
his  monthly  report  be  promptly  transmitted  at  the  expiration  of 
each  month. 


♦Reports  were  mailed  iu  duplicate  up  to  February,  and  were  In  the 
Treasurer's  hands  when  I  was  in  Washington.  The  remainder  had 
been  sent  direct  to  the  Master  for  him  to  examine  and  send  up  to 
Brother  Ireland. 


Worl;  of  tlic  Year  iSjo.  26g 

Ctli.  That  a  copy  of  the  above  Preamble  and  Resolutions  be 
transmitted  to  the  Secretary  of  the  National  Grange,  and  his 
promjit  and  full  compliance  therewith  be  requested. 
I  Cektipy  that  the  above  is  a  true  extract  copy  of  the  Proceed- 
ings, as  shown  by  the  Record. 

J.  R.  Thompson, 

Lecturer  of  National  Orange,  and  Acting  Secretary. 

Attest : 

William  Saunders, 

Master  National  Orange. 

I  fail  to  find  any  other  record  of  the  proceedings 
of  this  meeting,  and  no  other  resident  members 
willing  to  acknowledge  they  were  present.  We 
sent  Brother  Saunders  the  general  information  asked 
for,  and  reminded  him  that  the  reports  for  the  Trea- 
surer had  been  sent  in  his  care  every  month  since 
January.  All  the  preceding  ones  I  saw  in  posses- 
sion of  the  Treasurer  when  last  in  Washington. 

The  "National  Grange"  did  not  hold  anymore 
meetings  until  I  reached  "Washington. 

The  last  week  in  June  I  left  for  Chicago,  in  com- 
pliance with  an  arrangement  with  Brother  Corbett. 

In  my  visiting  Chicago,  certain  of  us  in  the  West 
had  a  laudable  motive.  As  an  advertisement,  the 
organizing  of  a  temporary  State  Grange  in  Blinois 
would  be  of  value,  and  while  we  did  not  then  have 
sufiacient  Subordinate  Granges,  according  to  the  pres- 
ent constitution,  it  was  deemed  advisable  to  make  it 
up  principally  of  Deputies,  which  we  did.     The  em- 


2^0  Patrons  of  Husbaiidry. 

bryotic  state  of  the  whole  Order  warranted  the  adop- 
tion of  any  plan  by  which  we  hoped  to  advance  the  in- 
terests of  the  Order  at  large,  and  the  institution  had 
reached  that  stage  where  a  desperate  effort  must  be 
made,  and  I  determined  to  strike  a  blow  this  year 
for  the  cause,  that  should  set  it  in  motion,  or  quit 
it  for  good. 

On  reaching  Chicago,  I  first  had  an  interview 
with  Brother  Corbett,  It  was  decided  to  revive 
Garden  City  Grange,  and  we  initiated  several  good 
men.  After  consulting  with  Brothers  Corbett,  Eme- 
ry and  "Welch,  I  addressed  a  note  to  Mr.  Bryan,  ex- 
plaining the  object  of  my  visit,  and  in\ating  him  to 
join  with  us.  The  Fourth  of  July  was  spent  at  the 
residence  of  Edgar  Sanders,  which  day  will  long  be 
remembered  by  the  guests  present.  A  description 
of  the  ceremonies  on  the  occasion  I  published  in  the 
Sentinel,  Minnesota.     It  was  a  grand  Harvest  Feast. 

On  the  fifth  I  was  favored  with  the  following  note 
from  Mr.  Bryan : 

Chicago,  III.,  July  5th,  1870. 
O.  n.  Kelley,  Esq.,— Dear  Sir  : 

I  am  just  in  receipt  of  your  favor  of  the  2d  instant.  Al- 
though fully  appreciating  the  importance  of  the  measure  you  pro- 
pose inaugurating  in  behalf  of  the  producers  of  Minnesota,  I  feel 
myself  entirely  incompetent  to  counsel  you  upon  a  subject  with 
which  your  friends  of  the  Prairie  Farmer  are  so  much  more 
familiar  than  myself.     It  will  afford  me  much  pleasure  to  become 


271 


THOMAS    B.     BRYAN. 


Wor/c  of  the  Year  iSyo.  zji 

a  member  of  your  fnilcrnity,  more  from  sympathy  than  from  any 
expectation  of  elliciency  in  that  ca})acity. 

If  you  find  leisure,  call  at  my  office,  and  you  will  also  be  wel- 
come at  the  Prairie  Home  of 

Yours  very  respectfully,  Tnos.  B.  Buyan. 

My  cordial  reception,  and  matters  broached  at  our 
first  interview,  sufficiently  satisfied  me  tliat  I  sliould 
find  a  hearty  supporter  in  Mr.  Bryan.  At  my  sec- 
ond visit  I  received  his  initiation  fee,  and  he  ac- 
cepted the  invitation  to  allow  liis  name  to  appear  as 
an  officer  of  the  State  Grange. 

At  the  Prairie  Farmer  office,  our  next  move  v^as 
to  institute  a  temporary  State  Grange.  In  this  we 
elected  as  the  Secretary,  Henry  C.  Wheeler,  the 
advocate  of  the  Farmers'  League.  The  records  read 
as  follows  : 

Chicago,  III.,  July  11th,  1870. 
At  a  meeting  of  Masters  and  Past  Masters  of  Subordinate 
Granges,  and  Deputies  of  the  Order  in  Illinois,  convened  in  this 
city  by  the  Secretary  of  the  National  Grange,  this  day,  for  the 
purpose  of  organizing  a  temporary  State  Grange,  the  following 
named  persons  were  elected  to  fill  the  respective  offices  : 

blaster,        _       .       .       -       .       Daniel  Woethington. 

Lecturer,        -      -       -       .       .    Rodney  Welch. 

Overseer,      -       -      -       -       -       H.  D.  Emery. 

Steward,  -       -       -       -       -       -    A.  A.  Pettibone. 

Assistant  Steward,        -         -         -         J.  H.   Hall,  of  Henry  Grange. 

Chaplain,       -       _       .       .       .  Rev.  Richard  F.  Sweet. 

Treasurer, Thos.  B.  Bryan. 

Secretary,       -       -       _       .       .  Henry  C.  Wheeler. 

Gate  Keeper,       -       -       .       .  Edgar  Sanders. 


2y2  Patrons  of  Hiisbandiy. 

The  Dispensation  for  tlie  State  Grange  is  dated 
July  11th. 

I  received  from  the  State  Grange  for  Dispensation, 
the  rec^ular  fee  of  fifteen  dollars ;  also  the  sum  of 
thirty  dollars  as  dues  to  the  National,  for  which  I 
gave  to  Brother  Worthington  a  receipt,  to  he  re- 
deemed by  the  National  Grange.  This  I  have  since 
taken  up  on  private  account,  and  now  hold.  At 
this  time  I  also  received  from  Garden  City  Grange 
$41.50.  I  am  thus  explicit,  as  these  gentlemen  who 
tendered  the  timely  aid  which  materially  helped  our 
cause,  are  entitled  to  recognition. 

A  letter  received  a  short  time  afterwards,  from 
Brother  Saunders,  contains  the  following : 

I  cannot  tell  j^ou  how  much  I  am  delighted  with  your  Chicago 
visit  and  results.  What  a  quartette,  Bryan,  Emery,  Corbett, 
Sanders  !  I  wish  I  had  nothing  to  do  but  give  my  whole  time 
to  the  Order.  I  know  I  could  help  you  materially  ;  but  I  can't 
doit.     With  my  daily  labors,  am  nearly  run  down.     *       *        * 

At  this  visit,  through  the  influence  of  Brother 
Corbett,  we  were  enabled  to  send  several  favorable 
notices  relative  to  the  Order,  through  the  associated 
press  dispatches,  which  advertised  us  well. 

On  reaching  home,  I  wrote  McDowell : 

Itasca,  Mikn.,  July  20tn,  1870. 
My  Dear  McDowell: 

Have  just  returned  from  a  three  weeks'  stay  in  Chicago, 

•where  T  organized  the  State  Grange  of  Illinois.     So  you  see  the 


Work  of  the  Year  iSyo:  2J3 

ball  keeps  moving.     I  find  llie  documents  you  sent,  all  right,  and 
■will  attend  to  them  soon. 

It  is  my  intention  to  give  up  everything  else,  and  go  to  Wash- 
iugton,  make  my  home  there,  and  make  the  work  of  the  Order 
the  work  of  my  life.  You  said  the  Order  must  sacrifice  one 
martyr,  and  I  am  going  in  for  that  ''  posish." 

Nine  new  Granges  organized  during  the  past  four  weeks. 

Youi's  in  haste,  O.  II.  K. 

Among  the  letters  tins  moiitli,  the  following  is 
recorded  as  being  the  first  for  Vermont,  which  re- 
sulted in  the  first  Subordinate  Grange  : 

Pasumpsic,  Vt.,  July  \st,  1870. 
Sir: 

I  see  by  the  Neio  York  Tribune  of  June  22d,  that  there  is 
an  organization  of  Farmers,  whose  headquarters  are  in  Washing- 
ton. As  President  of  the  Caledonia  County  Farmers'  Club, 
would  like  to  learn  more  of  its  objects,  etc.  Are  there  any 
branches  or  members  in  Vermont?  Please  give  me  such  infor- 
mation as  j^ou  think  proper  upon  the  subject,  and  oblige 

Jonathan  Lawrence. 

I  believe  it  is  cheerfully  conceded  that  Brother 
Lawrence  heads  the  list  of  the  venerable  Patrons  of 
Vermont.  Two  years  after,  on  the  fourth  of  July, 
his  State  Grange  was  organized. 

My  attention  was  next  directed  to  St.  Louis,  and 
on  July  25th,  I  received  the  following,  in  answer  to 
mine  of  July  19th.  from  Col.  N.  J.  Coleman: 
18 


2y4-  Patrons  of  Hitsbandiy. 

St.  Louis,  Mo.,  July  22(1,  1870. 
O.  H.  Kelley,  Esq., — Dear  Sir  : 

Your  polite  favor  is  this  moment  received.  I  have 
long  been  anxious  to  become  a  member  of  the  Order  of  Patrons 
of  Husbandry.  I  will  lend  a  willing  hand  in  establishing  the 
Order  throughout  the  State,  and  probably,  from  my  large  ac- 
quaintance, can  do  as  much  as  any  other  person  in  that  good 
work.  I  do  not  know  that  my  time  will  permit  me  to  do  very 
much  traveling  and  lecturing,  but  Mr.  Wm.  Muir  would  be  a 
good  person  for  that  purpose.  I  do  not  care  for  any  position  in 
the  Order,  if  others  as  competent  can  be  selected.  I  have  been 
considerably  in  public  life,  and  have  no  ambition  for  place. 

The  tenth  of  August  will  be  rather  early,  but,  if  you  cannot 
select  a  later  period,  will  answer.  *  *  *  When  you 
come  here  you  must  make  your  home  with  me,  and  I  will  see 
that  all  expenses  are  paid.  I  would  like  to  know  how  many  we 
must  have  present  to  make  a  beginning,  and  whether  officers  are 
to  be  elected  at  the  time,  etc. 

Yours  fraternally,  N.  J.  Coleman. 

This  to  J.  It.  Thompson : 

^         _  Itasca,  July  25th,  1870. 

Dear  Brother  : 

After  so  long  a  silence,  (four  months;,  you  at  last  call  my 

existence  on  this  sublunar  sphere  to  mind.     That's  a  capital  way 

to  answer  my  letters— draw  up  a  string  of  resolutions  stirring  me 

up  with  a  long  pole.     Well,  I  have  complied  with  your  united 

request,  and  sent  the  documents  to  Saunders.    I  have  just  tinished 

at  Chicago,  and  now  comes  a  letter  for  N.  J.  Coleman,  of  St. 

Louis,  offering  to  defray  all  my  expenses  there  and  back,  if  I  will 

go  down  and  establish  the  Order  in  Missouri.     /  goeth.     *        * 

I  do  not  get  an  hour  a  day  to  attend  to  anything  else  but  the 

Order  ;  so  please  give  son\e  time  and  thought  to  this.     It  will 

help  me  very  much.  Yours  fraternally,  O.  H.  K. 


IVo/i'  of  the  Year  1870.  275 

I  wrote  Coleman : 

Itasca,  July  25th,  1870. 
Dear  Sir  : 

*  *  *  Owing  to  other  engagements  which  will 
follow  my  visit  to  St.  Louis,  it  will  be  necessary  for  me  to 
place  my  appointment  with  you  as  early  as  20th  of  August. 
That  no  time  may  be  lost,  I  enclose  you  six  sets  of  blanks,  that 
clubs  for  as  many  Granges  may  be  made  up  in  your  State.  I 
will  try  to  find  time  after  that  to  visit  Alton  and  Belleville.  Dr. 
Hull  expressed  to  me  at  Indianapolis,  last  January,  a  desire  to  be 
connected  with  our  Order.         *        *        *  O.  H.  K. 

It  was  my  desire  to  organize  enougli  Subordinate 
Granges  to  secure  a  State  Grange  in  Missouri,  as 
the  result  of  the  trip. 

From  Dudley  W.  Adams : 

Waukon,  July  2Qth,  1870. 
Dear  Brother  : 

*  *  *  Concerning  Brother  Corbett's  ideas,  there 
seems  to  be  some  diflSculty  in  my  mind,  and  it  consists  mainly  in 
the  fact  that  we  are  not  a  political  organization  ;  and  further, 
should  we  wish  to  do  anything  towards  the  protection  of  pro- 
ducers as  against  monopolists,  we  would  labor  under  the  same 
difficulties  inside  our  organization  that  we  do  outside,  from  the 
fact  that  all  classes  and  professions  and  occupations  are  repre- 
sented in  the  Brothei'hood.  If  all  cannot  agree  on  united  politi- 
cal action  in  political  organizations,  how  can  the  same  elements 
be  fused  in  a  society  like  ours?  If  we  propose  to  make  such  an 
use  of  our  Order  as  is  therein  contemplated,  it  will  be  necessary 
to  make  more  definite  and  stronger  rules  for  the  qualification  of 
members.        *        *     .  Yours  fraternally,         D.  "W.  Adams, 

Secretary  Waukon  Orange. 


2y6  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

From  Geo.  D.  Hinckley: 

Fredonia,  N.  Y.,  July  ZWi,  1870. 
O.  n.  Kelley  : 

Deak  Sir  and  Brother: 

Your  favor  of  22d  instant,  enclosing  circular  sent  out 
by  authority  of  State  Grange  of  Minnesota,  is  at  hand.  I  luive 
carefully  read  the  same,  and  feel  that  the  complaints  are  too  true, 
and  that  the  subject  needs  the  careful  attention  of  all  having  the 
agricultural  interests  of  the  country  at  heart.  But  I  think  that 
the  Order  should  carefully  consider  the  subject,  and  "make  haste 
slowly,"  before  it  takes  upon  itself  a  political  complexion.  Poli- 
tics and  religion  have  been  sliunned  by  all  successful  secret  associ- 
ations. Those  organizations  introducing  either,  have  found  that 
they  contained  the  elements  of  weakness,  which  sooner  or  later 
led  to  dissolution.  Still,  to  a  limited  extent,  it  might  or  may  be 
found  advisable  to  introduce  this  subject  into  Granges.  I  will 
present  the  circular  to  the  first  meeting  of  our  Grange 

Fraternally  yours  G.  D.  Hinckley. 

From  J.  E.  Thompson : 

Washington,  D.  C,  August  itJi,  1870. 
Brother  Kelley  : 

I  am  pleased  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  favor  of 
July  25th,  with  its  enclosures.  The  circular  letter  of  Brother  Cor- 
bett  vigorously  and  forcibly  represents  the  good  that  may  be 
accomplished  by  our  Order,  in  enabling  the  people  to  resist  the 
encroachments  and  oppression  of  monopolies,  and  its  circulation 
will  do  good.  J.  R.  T. 

I  give  the  preceding  letters  to  show  the  general 
sentiment  regarding  those  views  at  that  time. 


IVor^  of  tlw  Year  iSyo.  277 

On  tho  18th  of  July,  Brother  W.  A.  Simpson 
wrote,  askhig  if  a  Grange  could  be  organized  with- 
out women ;  to  which  I  replied : 

Itasca,  July  29t7i,,  1870. 
Dear  Sir  and  Brother: 

*        *        *        A  Grange  caunot  be  organized  without 

at  least  six  women,  and  as  to  a  Grange  composed  wholly  of  men, 

what  kind  of  Goddesses  (Ceres,  Flora  and  Pomona)  would  men 

make  ?    It  has  been  tried  in  two  instances,  and  turns  the  work 

into  a  farce.     We  have  no  fears  about  any  woman  divulging 

the  secrecy  of  the  Ritual,  as  a  few  have  intimated.     Tliey  have 

not  done  it  yet.     "Where  they  have  received  the  side  degrees  in 

the  Masonic  Order,  and  in  Odd  Fellowship,  the  first  instance 

has  yet  to  be  made  known  to  us  where  any  woman  has  proved 

false  to  her  obligation.     In  our  Order  they  are  our  main  stay. 

Their  presence  adds  refinement  to  our  meetings,  and  the  real 

social  character  of  the  institution  would  be  lost  without  women. 

Observation  induces  me  to  be  wary  in  placing  confidence  in 

that  man  who  cannot  trust  his  mother,   wife  or  sister,  and  I 

would  not  urge  any  man  to  take  an  interest  in  our  work  who 

entertains  such  contracted  views  as  to  assert  that  we  cannot  with 

safety  trust  intelligent  women  with  our  Ritual.        *        *        * 

O.  H.  K. 

Brother  Simpson  replied: 

August  9th,  1870. 

In  regard  to  the  admission  of  women,  I  agree  with  you  exactly. 
I  have  seen  the  Degree  of  Rebekah  in  Odd  Fellowship  conferred 
on  a  number,  and  have  never  known  one  prove  recreant  to  the 
trust  reposed  in  her.  If  ever  the  Patrons  of  Husbandry  become 
a  mighty  power  in  the  land,  much  of  their  success  will  be  attri- 
butable to  the  gentle  influence  of  woman.     *    *    *    "VV.  A.  S. 


2y8  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

Gen.  "Wm.  Duane  Wilson  wrote  me : 

Des  Moines,  Iowa,  August  5th,  1870. 
Brother  Kelley : 

When  you  return  from  St.  Louis,  where  I  understand  you 

will  be  on  the  30th,  come  here  to  my  house  for  work. 

Very  truly  yours,  Wm.  Duane  Wilson. 

I  had  received  several  letters  from  Alfred  Grey, 
Secretary  of  Kansas  State  Agricultural  Society,  and 
from  the  Eev.  J.  Kalloch,  who  proposed  to  meet 
me  in  St.  Louis  and  become  familiar  with  the  work. 
Brother  Muir  wrote  me,  also :  "  It  will  require 
much  prudence  to  organize  here,  more  so  perhaps 
than  in  any  other  State.  I  will  explain  fully  when 
you  come  here." 

Hon.  Thos.  B.  Bryan  wrote : 

Chicago,  August  Qth,  1870. 
O.  H.  Kelley,  Esq.,— Dear  Sir  : 

I  am  in  receipt  of  your  favor  of  the  first  instant.  As  you 
inquire  which  I  deem  the  best  means  of  promulgating  the  ideas 
of  the  "  Patrons  of  Husbandry,"  circulars  or  speakers,  I  reply 
that  Circulars  would  seem  to  be  the  most  feasible  plan,  as  likely 
to  reach  a  much  larger  number  than  speakers  possible  can,  and 
yet  botJi  combined  would  doubtless  prove  most  efficient.  I  would 
be  willing  to  contribute  something,  say  fifty  dollars,  toward  that 
purpose,  and  would  gladly  advance  ten  times  that  amount,  but  the 
drafts  upon  me  are  incessant. 

Very  respectfully,  Thos.  B.  Bryan. 

Being  out  of  circulars,  and  much  encouraged  by 
the    increase  of  letters  of  inquiry,  I  had   revised 


Wor/^;  of  the   Year  iSjo.  2yg 

and  condensed  our  general  circular,  and  was  reading 
tlie  proof  at  tlie  Pioneer  Office,  when  I  received  this 
letter  of  Mr.  Bryan's.  I  immediatelj,  in  compli- 
ment to  him,  inserted  the  words  "  Bryan  Fund  Pub- 
lications," and  when  the  first  sheets  were  struck  off, 
enclosed  him  a  copy.  This  was  the  origin  of  that 
title  to  our  tracts. 

The  following  from  Mr.  Bryan  arrived  in  care  of 
Pioneer  Printing  Company  the  day  after  I  left  St. 
Louis: 

Chicago,  III.,  August  IZtli,  1870. 
O.  H.  Kelley, — Dear  Siu  : 

Your  favor  of  10th  instant  is  just  at  hand.  I  enclose  here- 
with a  clieck  for  the  fifty  dollars  tendered.  In  filing  your  letter,  I 
read  again  your  favor  of  2d  July,  and  in  pondering  over  your  re- 
quest for  advice  in  regard  to  one  point  of  consequence,  I  am 
induced  to  inquire,  what,  if  any,  was  the  conclusion  you  arrived 
at  respecting  the  matter  in  question.  I  refer,  of  course,  to  the 
following  clauses  of  your  letter  : 

"We  now  have  about  fifty  Subordinate  Granges  which  can 
readily  control,  at  the  coming  harvest,  a  large  portion  of  the 
wheat  crop  of  the  State.  One  object  of  my  visit  here  (Chicago) 
is  to  see  what  arrangements  can  be  made  by  which  this  amount  of 
grain  may  find  a  market,  without  being  subjected  to  the  gambling 
operation  of  dealers  here.  Our  object  is  to  secure  to  the  produ- 
cer the  full  value  of  his  products,  and,  if  possible,  save  to  him  the 
pickings  that  now  enrich  the  speculators.      Any  advice,"  etc. 

Have  you  thought  of  establishing  a  central  ofiice,  say  in  Chi- 
cago, under  control  of  a  man  or  men  o^  knotcn  character  and  irre- 
proachable  intt'grity,  to   receive   and   account   for   shipments  of 


2So  Patrons  of  Husbandjy. 

grain  ?  I  do  not  know  your  plans  and  write  to  ascertain  them. 
If  "wisely  ordered,  such  a  central  office  would  serve  an  admirable 
puqDose,  at  least  so  it  impresses        Yours  truly, 

Tnos.  B.  Bryan. 

Mr.  Bryan  wrote  again  after  I  had  left,  wliich  was 
acknowledged  by  Miss  Hall : 

Chicago,  III.,  September  Zd,  1870. 
O.  H.  Kelley, — Dear  Sir  : 

Occasionally  I  receive  letters  inquiring  "  what  are  the 
practical  workings  of  the  Patrons  of  Husbandry  in  this  State  T' 
My  connection  with  the  fraternity  has  been  so  recent  as  to  pre- 
vent my  responding  to  these  inquiries  with  that  fulness  and  pre- 
cision I  would  desire. 

Tour  placing  my  name  on  your  circulars  was  a  kind  act  utterly 
unexpected,  and  not  justified  by  the  trifling  contribution  made  by 
me  for  the  good  cause.  Draw  on  me  for  another  $50  when 
needed.  Very  traly  yours,  Thos.  B.  Bryan. 

The  First  Grange  in  California 

Was  organized  at  Pilot  Hill,  El  Dorado  Coiintj^, 
August  17tli,  1870,  with  the  following  named  per- 
sons as  Charter  members : 

Ja:mes  II.  Reese,  S.  S.  Blue, 

A.  Martin,  W.  H.  Mathebly, 

John  Marshall,  A.  J.  Bayley, 

Wm.  Norvell,  John  Bishop, 

P.  D.  Brown,  A.  A.  Bayley, 

J.  R.  Clew,  Mrs.  C.  H.  Jones, 

C.  S.  Rogers,  Jane  Jones, 


Wor/c  of  the  Year  i8yo.  281 

Silas  Hayes,  Mrs.  S.  C.  Owens, 

Thomas  Owens,  Mary  Jones, 

John  S.  Martin,  Mrs.  P.  D.  Brown. 

J.  W.  Davis,  A.  B.  Love  joy, 

T.  T.  Love  JOY,  Mrs.  G.  B.  Mudd, 

J.  P.  Bayley,  Maggie  R.  Broavn, 

G.  B,  Mudd,  Mrs.  A.  J.  Bayley, 
Jennie  E,  Bayley 

It  was  my  intention  to  reach  St.  Louis  on  Satur- 
day, the  20th,  hut  having  taken  steamer  from  St. 
Paul,  we  made  several  stops  on  sand  bars,  w^hich  de- 
layed us  until  Sunday  afternoon.  Monday  I  found 
Col.  Coleman  had  unexpectedly  been  called  away  for 
a  few  days. 

I  had  previously  arranged  to  meet  Messrs.  Gray  and 
Kalloch  from  Lawrence,  Kansas,  and  they  remained 
until  Tuesday;  but  by  some  misunderstanding,  or  no 
understanding  at  all,  though,  as  I  learned  after- 
wards, we  were  each  in  and  out  of  Coleman's  store 
several  times,  we  were  not  introduced,  and  they  left 
for  home. 

I  remained  in  St.  Louis  and  vicinity  two  weeks, 
and  organized 

The  First  Subordinate  Grange  in  Missouri 

on  the    25th  of  August,  1870,  with  the  following 
persons  as  Charter  members : 


282  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

MERA:\rEC  Grange,  No.  1,  Olencoe,  St.  Louis  County,  Mo. 

L.  D.  VoTAN,  Mrs.  Ellen  Mum, 

Thos.  R.  Allen,  Miss  Maggie  Muir, 

Clinton  Dougherty,  Miss  Annie  Muir, 

A.  W.  Alexander,  Miss  Nellie  Muir, 

Alonzo  Votan.  Mrs.  L.  D.  Yotan, 

Wii.  Muir,  Mrs.  D.  S.  Heltzell, 

David  Heltzell,  Mrs.  J.  C,  Wiiitsett, 

J.  C.  Wiiitsett,  Mrs.  Blinn, 

H.  C.  Bagot,  Miss  S.  C.  Ottwell 
Alfred  Eedforth. 

The  second  Grange  was  Oak,  in  St.  Louis,  of 
wliicli  Bro.  M.  G.  Kern  was  Master.  "We  soon  after 
made  up  a  temporary  State  Grange ;  in  this,  Brother 
Allen  was  elected  Master. 

I  have  the  pleasure  of  making  mention,  that  the 
deficiency  in  my  receipts  was  cheerfully  made  up 
by  Gov.  Coleman,  as  promised,  and  I  received  from 
him,  as  my  cash  account  will  show,  the  sum  of 
eighty-five  dollars,  which,  upon  mentioning  to 
Brothers  Michel  and  Kern,  they  added  fifteen 
dollars  to  make  an  even  hundred.  I  gave  a  gen- 
eral account  of  this  trip  and  observations,  and  a 
lucid  description  of  Gov.  Coleman's  farm  and  fiirm- 
ing  operations,  in  the  Si.  Paul  Pioneer,  of  September, 
1870,  which  was  re-published  in  the  St.  Louis  pa- 
pers. This  trip  brought  Brothers  Muir  and  Allen 
prominent  in  the  Order. 


Wor/c  of  the  Year  rSyo.  28j 

From  St.  Louis,  I  went  to  Keokuk,  where  the 
State  Fair  was  in  session,  and  there  met  General 
Wilson   and  several  others,  including  Brother  D. 
W.    Adams.      From    Keokuk,   in    company   with 
General  Wilson,  I  went  to  Des  Moines,  and  there 
organized  Capital  Grange,  and  also  Atlantic  Grange. 
The  last  niglit  in  Des  Moines,  I  received  a  telegram 
from  Thomas  B.  Bryan,  calling  me  to  Chicago,  and 
left  next   morning   to  meet  him.      Our  interview 
took   me   to  his   residence   at  Elmhurst,   and  was 
decidedly   encouraging    to   myself, — receiving    an- 
other generous  donation  from  him.     From  thence 
I  went  to  Cedar  Rapids,  to  meet  Dr.   Enos,  and 
then  to  Waukon,  where  I  met  that  Grange,  and 
otherwise  enjoyed  a  delightful  visit,  reaching  home 
the  first  week  in  October. 

I  ordered  the  German  translation  to  be  sent  me 
at  St.  Louis,  from  Indianapolis,  and  Brother  Muir 
wrote  me  from 

St.  Louis,  September  2\8t,  1870. 
BiiOxnER  KelIiET  : 

I  write  to  inform  you  that  Brothers  Kera  and  Michel 
have  examined  the  translation  of  Manual,  and  report  it  an 
exceedingly  heavy  translation,  — dull  and  spiritless, — destroying 
all  that  beautiful  idealism  that  floats  all  through  the  Ritual. 
They  would  not  accept  it  as  a  good  translation  in  their  oion 
business.        *        *        *  ■\;\r.  Muir. 

I  exchanged  several  letters  with  Brother  Trimble, 


284  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

during  September  and  October,  relative  to  a  bouse 
in  Washington,  resolved  on  making  my  headquar- 
ters there  for  a  time. 

Brother  Hinckley  wrote  me  from  Fredonia,  on 
the  13th  of  October,  enclosing  application  from 
Brocton  Grange,  l^^ew  York,  and  acknowledging 
receipt  of  his  appointment  as  a  General  Deputy  of 
the  National  Grange. 

From  D.  W.  Adams : 

Waukon,  Iowa,  October  22(Z,  1870. 
0.  II.  Kelley,— Dear  Sir: 

Yours  of  lOtli  instant,  containing  my  appointment  as 
Special  Deputy,  for  the  purpose  of  assisting  in  organizing  the 
State  Grange  of  Iowa,  came  to  hand  last  mail.  Allow  me  to 
thank  you  for  this  unexpected  mark  of  your  regard,  and  at  the 
same  time  express  my  willingness  to  be  of  any  service  in  my 
power  to  the  Order  in  this  State.  *  *  *  Please  send 
me,  soon  as  necessary,  instructions  in  my  duties,  and  tell  what  is 

expected  of  me.        *        *        * 

Yours  fraternally,  D.  W.  Adams, 

Brother  Saunders  wrote,  October  24th,  among 
other  matters : 

We  can  get  a  printing  office,  with  a  good  full  set  of  type,  for 
twelve  dollars  a  mouth,  and  propose  doing  our  own  printing  ;  but 
we  have  not  decided  upon  a  paper,  neither  will  we  do  so  for 
some  time  ;  but  I  am  sure  we  can  get  up  printed  matter  quite 
cheap.         *        *        * 

I  receive  two  or  three  letters  weekly  about  the  Order,  showing 
it  is  extending  its  ideas  throughout  the  country.  I  enclose  one 
received  to-day,  and  hope  you  will  answer  it.  W.  S. 


IVorZ'  of  the  Year  i8yo.  285 

I  had  my  doubts  about  tlie  capacity  of  a  printing 
office,  witli  fixtures,  at  sucli  a  rent.  On  examina- 
tion, after  my  arrival,  we  did  not  invest.  I  italicize 
six  words.  It  seemed  very  strange  to  me,  \\'\\\\  the 
amount  of  work  we  were  all  doiuii;  in  the  West, 
that  his  correspondence  regarding  the  Order  should 
be  so  light. 

From  W.  W.  Corbett: 

Chicago,  October  2(JtIi,lS70. 
Dear  Kellet  : 

I  acknowledge  several  favors  from  you  in  form  of  letters, 

circulars,  etc.     I  have  not  seen  nor  heard  aught  of  Mr.  Wheeler 

since  writing  you  last.     He  said  he  would  be  in  and  explain  his 

grand  system  of  handling  the   grain  of  the   Northwest,*  but 

has  not  done   so  ;  therefore  I  know   no   more  about  it  than  I 

did  before.     Have  this  day  written  him  that  it  is  time  for  us  to 

report,    as  the   Committee   on   Organization    appointed  at  the 

Bloomington  Convention.     I  suppose  you  may  have  thought  us 

rather  tardy  here,  but  you  may  depend  upon  it,  we  will  try  to 

satisfy  you  that  we  are  not  dead  yet. 

Your  truly,  W.  W.  Corbett. 

After  the  experience  thus  far  in  this  work,  and  a 
determination  to  establish  the  Order  in  all  parts  of 
the  country,  I  resolved  to  give  my  undivided  atten- 
tion to  it.  In  my  travels,  I  found  that  all  informa- 
tion  emanating   from  Washington,  received  extra 

*  This  was  The  Geain  Growers'  Transpoktatioit  and  Loan 
Association. 


286  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

attention  among  the  masses;  hence,  I  purposed 
making  that  city  my  headquarters,  and  send  out 
our  circulars  in  all  directions.  Funds  were  neces- 
sary to  accomplish  this.  I  addressed  a  note  to  Mr. 
Bryan,  and  commenced  making  my  final  arrange- 
ments to  move  my  family.  As  I  now  look  back,  it 
was  a  wild  venture,  hut  in  keeping  with  every 
other  move  I  made  in  the  interest  of  the  Order.  It 
was  hacked  by  a  positive  feeling  of  final  success. 

Our  work  was  improving,  and  the  letters  of 
inquiry  from  all  parts  gave  much  encouragement. 

This,  from  Andrew  J.  Beck,  was  a  sample : 

Atlanta,  Ga.,  November  7ih,  1870. 
0.  H.  Kelley,  Itasca,  Minn. : 
Deak  Sir  : 

We  are  in  receipt  of  your  circular  explaining  the 
plan  of  organization,  and  the  objects  of  the  Order  of  Patrons  of 
Husbandry.  To  say  that  we  are  pleased,  does  not  express  all 
our  gratification  upon  hearing  of  the  organization  of  just  such 
an  association  as  we,  of  the  South,  especiallj^  need.  At  present 
we  have  no  such  thing  as  system,  and  we  shall  be  glad  to  do 
anything  towards  bringing  about  the  ends  contemplated,  in  the 
organization  of  your  Order.  Will  you  be  kind  enough  to  advise 
us  of  the  preliminary  steps  necessary  to  the  organization  of  a 
Grange  in  this  city,  etc.? 
Hoping  to  hear  from  you  soon,  we  are  very  truly  yours, 

Andrew  J.  Beck, 
Samuel  A.  Echols, 
Editors  and  Publishers  of  Rural  Southerner. 


Wor/c  of  the  Year  jSyo.  287 

Brotlicr  Muir  wrote  that  "  tlic  work  takes,  but  it 
goes  slowly  into  actual  life.  I  write  a  letter  daily, 
but  have  not  yet  organized  a  Grange.  Time  and 
money  are  the  elements  'to  push  the  work.'"  In 
his  next  he  enclosed  five  dollars,  to  pay  for  a 
Deputy's  outfit,  sent  to  \l.  0.  Thompson,  at  Jeffer- 
son, Texas,  from  whom,  I  think,  we  never  had  any 
tidings  afterward. 

Our  plan  at  this  time,  was  to  furnish  Deputies 
with  an  outfit,  at  their  own  expense. 

Brother  Moss  wrote : 

Fredonia,  November  16i(7t,  1870. 
O.  H.  Kelley, — Dear  Brother  : 

I  presume  you  think  I  have  forgotten  you,  but  age  and 
infirmity,  and  pressure  of  business,  combine  to  account  for  my 
long  silence.  If  there  is  anything  that  would  favor  the  wish  to 
be  young  again,  it  is  that  I  might  engage,  heart  and  hand,  with 
you  in  the  work  of  building  up  our  glorious  Order  of  Patrons. 
I  have  a  great  many  letters  of  inquiry.  *        *        *         ;^Xy 

letters  I  have  just  answered  were  from  New  Jersey,  The  spirit 
of  inquiry  is  waking  up,  and  seed  is  being  scattered  broadcast, 
and  some  of  it  will  take  root  and  grow.  Tell  me  how  you 
prosper ;  how  is  your  heart,  your  pluck,  etc.  ?  Let  me  hear 
from  you  in  full.     I  am  yours,  sincerely,  A.  S.  Moss. 

Under  date  of  November  19th,  Mr.  Bryan 
replied  to  my  letter  of  the  7th,  (which  had  followed 
him  East  and  returned,)  saying  that  at  that  time  it 
was  impossible  to  comply  with  my  request.     It  was 


288  Patrons  of  Hjisbandiy, 

quite  a  disappointment,  but  I  was  ready  to  start, 
and  with  me  then,  it  meant  go.  I  immediately 
wrote  to  Brother  Sam.  E.  Adams : 

Itasca,  Minn.,  Nommber  23(Z,  1870. 
My  Dear  Sam.  : 

I  am  short,  and  want  to  borrow  forty  dollars.     If  your 

heart,  conscience,  and  ability  will  permit  you  to  do  the  favor, 

you  can  send  me  a  P.  O.  M.  O.,  payable  at  St.  Paul.     Have  to 

leave  for  Washington  Monday,  to  make  arrangements  for  my 

family  there.  Yours  truly  O,  H.  K. 

The  reply  was  laconic : 

MoNTiCELLO,  November  2ith,  1870. 
0.  H,: 

Yours  received.     Here's  the  checque. 

Yours  Sam. 

To  which,  this  rejoinder: 

November  21^,  1870, 
Dear  Sam.  : 

Yours  received.      If  kindness  can  cover  a  multitude  of 

sins,  there  must  be  a  big  pile  of  yours  put  out  of  sight,  by  the 

favor  granted.  Fraternally,  O.  H,  K. 

It  is  true,  the  amount  was  small,  but  it  was  all  I 
loanied  at  that  time.  With  it,  I  left  Minnesota  to 
build  up  the  Order,  and  in  this  work,  I  have  always 
felt  my  labors  would  add  to  the  happiness  and 
welfare  of  my  fellow-beings. 

"W.  W.  Corbett  wrote  me  as  follows: 


IVor/;  of  the  Year  iSjo.  28g 

Office  of  Prairie  Farmer,  ) 
Chicago,  Nov.  2ith,  1870.    / 


Mt  Dear  Kelley: 

At  last  wc  have  commenced  the  bombardment.  In  this 
week's  Farmer,  copies  of  which  I  mail  you  to-day,  you  will  see 
the  report  of  Committee  on  Organization,  and  in  spirit  just  what 
we  intended  it  should  be.  Writing  it  myself,  accounts  for  it's 
not  being  better  done.  I  had  waited  long  for  some  aid,  but 
concluded  to  adopt  Miles  Standish's  motto, — "do  it  yourself." 
1  am  confident  it  will  prove  a  big  gun  for  the  Patrons.  Give  me 
your  ideas  of  it  frankly. 

I  enclose  you  letters  relative  to  starting  Granges.  Please 
write  them,  giving  particulars.  I  have  sent  constitutions,  and 
such  circulars  as  I  have.        *        *        * 

Yours  truly,  W.  W.  Corbett. 

Before  leaving  the  farm,  Miss  Hall  and  myself 

had  made  our  plans  for  introducing  the  Order  lirst 

by  letter,  and  as  soon  as  a  locality  would  warrant 

the   expense,  then   send   a  Deputy  to   thoroughly 

instruct    all    in    the   secret    work.       On    reaching 

AYashington,    I    sent    out    the    following    to    the 

Granges,  and  a  copy  also  to  each  person  who  had, 

up  to  this  time,  sent  letters  of  inquiry.     We  then, 

as  now,  kept  a  list  of  all  correspondents,  and  tiled 

all  letters. 

PATRONS    OF   HUSBANDRY. 

NATiONAii  Grange,         ) 
"Washington,  December  8ih,  1870.  ]" 
Dear  Sir: 

I  take  pleasure  in  informing  you  that  the  rapid  increase  of 

business  connected  with  our  Order,  has  made  it  necessary  to 

19 


2go  Patrons  of  Husbandly. 

permanently  locate  the  office  of  the  Secretary  of  the  National 
Grange  in  this  city. 

The  Order  is  now  working  in  fifteen  States,  and  rapidly 
increasing.  To  secure  to  our  members  all  the  benefits  to  be 
derived  from  a  fraternity  so  extensive  as  this  must  become,  we 
wish  to  organize  Subordinate  Granges  in  every  town  in  the 
United  States.  A  plan  has  been  adopted  for  organizing  by 
letter,  which  saves  to  Charter  members  much  expense,  and 
facilitates  business. 

Should  you  desire  to  take  an  active  part  in  the  work,  the 
necessary  documents  will  be  sent  you. 

Yours  fraternally,  O.  H.  Kelley, 

Secretary  of  National  Orange. 

From  Joseph  Seymour : 

Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  December  8ih,  1870, 
O.  H.  Kelley,— Dear  Sir  : 

Your  favor  of  November  28th  received.  We  have  our 
circulars  struck  off,  with  the  notice  of  Patrons  of  Husbandry 
Jewels,  and  send  you  a  few  to  distribute  among  the  Granges. 
We  called  on  the  Syracuse  Daily  Journal,  and  handed  your 
circular  to  one  of  the  editors,  and  he  said  he  would  work  it  in. 
You  had  better  send  us  a  few  more,  for  we  can  scatter  them. 
The  Granges  do  not  send  for  jewels  very  lively  yet.  Stir 
them  up  ;  we  have  a  quantity  of  sets  on  hand,  and  are  out  of  a 
a  good  deal  of  money  on  these  jewels,  and  want  to  get  it  back. 
Any  papers  with  notices  of  the  Order  that  you  send,  we  will 
show  to  our  editors  here.        *        *        *  Jos.  Seymour. 

From  Gen.  AYm.  Diiane  "Wilson  : 

Des  Moines,  December  Qth,  1870. 
Brother  Kelley  : 

The  enclosed  will  explain   themselves.      I  have  just 


Wor/v-  of  the  Year  i8yo.  2gi 

returned  from  opening  Dallas  Grange.  Had  a  very  enthusi- 
astic meeting. 

At  request  of  the  Northern  Granges,  the  State  Grange  organi- 
zation has  been  postponed  to  12th  of  January,  when  our  State 
Board  of  Agriculture  meets.  *         *         *        gemj  ^o  each 

Grange  a  Gent's  Regalia,  and  a  pattern  for  the  Ladies. 

Want  more  circulars ;  also  a  quantity  of  Corbett's  letter.  I  ani 
appointing  Deputies,  as  you  suggested,  as  fast  as  I  can  find  men 
suited  for  the  purpose. 

Do  let  me  know  how  you  are  getting  on.  I  write  you  at 
Washington,  seeing  a  telegram  that  you  had  passed  through 
Chicago.  As  ever,  thine,  Wm.  Duane  Wilson, 

l^oticing  a  favorable  mention  of  our  Order  in  the 
Bural  Carolinian,  published  in  Charleston,  S.  C,  I 
ventured  to  address  a  friendly  letter  to  the  editor, 
Colonel  Jacques,  and  received  the  following : 

Charleston,  S.  C,  December  17th,  1870. 
O.  H.  Kelley, — Dear  Sir: 

Your  favor  of  5th  instant  was  duly  received,  but  a  press 
of  other  duties  has  prevented  an  earlier  reply. 

I  thank  you  for  the  documents  sent  me.  I  have  felt  an 
interest  in  your  Order  from  its  commencement,  and  had  tliought 
of  writing  to  you  for  further  information  concerning  it.  So  far 
as  your  objects  and  aims  appear  to  the  uninitiated,  I  heartily 
approve  them,  and  shall  be  glad  to  co-operate  with  you,  if  I  can 
consistently  do  so.  I  think  the  Order  will  find  great  favor  in 
the  South,  when  it  once  gets  a  foothold  here ;  but  it  may  be 
difficult  to  introduce  it,  as  our  people  are  somewhat  inclined  to 
suspect  ulterior  political  objects  in  movements  originating  at  the 
North,  or  in  Washington. 

Awaiting  further  instructions,  I  remain  very  truly  yours, 

D.  H.  Jacques. 


202  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

On  the  19tli,  I  received  from  Mr.  Bryan  a  loan 
of  $250.00,  expressly  to  enable  me  to  bring  my 
family  to  Washington. 

As  our  Annual  Meeting  would  take  place  in 
January,  I  wrote  to  all  those  who,  by  their  appoint- 
ment as  Deputies,  were  entitled  to  membership  of 
the  Council  of  the  National  Grange,  and  also  to  the 
non-resident  members,  inviting  them  to  attend ;  but 
if  they  could  not,  to  communicate  by  letter  such 
matter  as  they  wished  to  have  presented. 

On  mentioning  to  Brother  Saunders  that  I  had  so 
notified  the  parties  to  be  present,  he  rather  sur- 
prised me  by  declaring  his  earnest  wish  that  not 
one  of  them  would  attend.  For  my  part,  I  felt  the 
sooner  we  could  bring  our  distant  friends  together, 
the  more  prosperous  would  be  our  work. 

From  McDowell : 

Wayne,  December  26th,  1870. 
My  Dear  Kelley: 

Yours  of  8th  instant  reached  me  a  few  days  since.  I  am 
absent  most  of  the  time,  so  that  a  letter  sometimes  lies  a  week  or 
so  here  before  it  comes  to  my  notice.  I  am  glad  to  hear  from 
you  and  to  know  that  you  and  the  good  work  are  prospering  ;  for 
what  would  it  be  without  you  ?  I  regret  that  I  cannot  be  with 
you  on  the  4th  proximo,  but  I  hope  to  see  you  at  a  later  day  this 
winter,  if  I  can  tear  myself  away  long  enough  to  accomplish  it. 
Let  me  hear  from  you  often.  Direct  to  me  at  Penn  Yan,  and  I 
will  get  it  sooner  ;  with  kind  regards  to  all  our  co-workers, 

I  am,  as  ever,  truly  yours,  F.  M.  McDowell. 


Wor/c  of  the  ]  'car  iSyo.  2pj 

In  a  letter  from  Brother  Muir,  December  27tli, 
he  says : 

I  was  up  at  St.  Josepli,  and  was  invited  per  telegraph  to  go  to 
Wyandotte  to  initiate  Gray  and  Kalloch.  Lost  a  day  and  two 
nights,  and  paid  out  $15. uO,  for  the  pleasure  of  doing  so.  They 
are  very  gentlemanly,  but  such  business  presses  hard  upon  a  poor 
man. 

From  G.  W.  Thompson: 

New  Brunswick,  K  J.,  December  29th,  1870. 
O.  H.  Kellet, — Dear  Sir  : 

In  answer  to  yours  of  8th,  I  wrote  to  you  that  I  desired  to 
organize  a  Grange  of  your  Order  in  connection  with  our  Farmers' 
Club,  in  New  Brunswick.  If  it  be  practicable,  I  would  like  the 
necessary  instructions  prior  to  our  next  meeting,  which  comes  off 
on  Tuesday,  January  3d.  Our  members  are  ready,  I  think,  to  a 
man.  I  have  been  keeping  the  subject  before  our  public  in  both 
the  local  papers.  Yours  truly,  G.  W.  Thompson. 

From  George  Noyes: 

Boston,  December  dlst,  1870. 
O.  H.  Kelley, — Dear  Sir  : 

I  have  been  contemplating  the  proposition  made  in  your 
letter  of  the  26th  instant.  My  position  in  conducting  the  Plough- 
man is  so  engrossing,  that  I  do  not  wish  to  accept  the  honor  you 
propose,  of  making  me  General  Deputy  for  Massachusetts,  but  I 
can  send  the  names  of  two  gentlemen,  either  of  whom  would  fill 
the  position  acceptably  both  to  the  Order  and  the  people  of  Mass- 
achusetts :  lion.  Chas.  L.  Flint,  Secretary  of  Board  of  Agricul- 
ture, State  House,  Boston,  and  Col.  Daniel  Needham,  Secretary 


2g^  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

of  the  New  England  Agricultural  Society,  care  of  Ploughman. 
We  forward  paper  as  ordered,  and  shall  be  glad  to  do  anything 
in  our  power,  except  holding  office.      Yours,        Geo.  Noyes. 

With  tlie  statement  of  receipts  for  the  year,  we 
can  close  the  chapter. 

It  will  be  observed  that  no  resolution,  law  or 
edict,  save  my  own  desire  to  build  up  the  Order, 
induced  me  to  make  Washington  my  headquarters. 
My  family  left  the  form  on  the  28th  of  December, 
and  January  2d,  1871,  left  Minneapolis  to  join  me 
in  our  new,  but  temporary  home. 


Receipts  for  1870. 

January  13— Dispensation  for  Waukon  Grange,  Iowa 15  00 

"         "  "  "     Clairmont  Grange,  Minnesota 15  00 

"         »  «  "      Capital  Grange,  Indiana 15  00 

"         "      Deputies'  fees  for  organizing 22  50 

"         "  "  Grange,  Washington 15  00 

Februaryie— Dispensation  for  Greenwood  Prairie  Grange,  Minn.  15  00 
"  28  "  "  Cottage  Grove  Grange,  Minnesota.  15  00 
••  "  "  "  Cherry  Grove  Grange,  «  ...  15  00 
"  "    Received  of  Win.  Saunders— cash 27  00 

March  17— Dispensation  for  High  Forest  Grange,  Minnesota. 15  00 

"      "    Received  of  Wra.  Saunders — cash 40  00 

"     "  «  George  D.  Hincliley— cash 30  00 

"      "  "  O.  H.  Kelley— cash 75  00 

"      •'    Dispensation  for  East  Cleveland  Grange,  Ohio 15  00 

"     "    Deputies' fees  for  organizing 1100 

April  ...  '•         from  Owatonna  Grange,  Minnesota. 19  00 

"        8— Dispensation  for  Morning  Star  Grange,  "  15  00 

«'      20  "  Lincoln  Grange,  "  15  00 

May  5  «  Prairie  Grange,  "  15  00 


IVor/c  of  the   Year  i8yo.  2g^ 

Miiy  G— Dispensation  for  Utica  Grange,  Minnesota 15  00 

"   14  «'  Wauseca  Grange,        "       15  00 

Junes  ««  Bear  Valley  Grange,  "       15  00 

'•     9  «  Prairie  Creelt  Grange,"       15  00 

"    10  "  Pioneer  Grange,  Stockton,  Tennessee.  15  00 

"    22  «  Frankville  Grange,  Iowa 13  00 

"    27  "  Featherstone  Grange,  Minnesota 15  00 

"    27  "  Mount  Pleasant  Grange,        "       15  00 

"    30  "  Mazeppa  Grange,  Minnesota 15  00 

Julys  "  Pleasant  Grove  Grange,  Minnesota....  15  00 

"  19— Cash  advanced  by  O.  H.  Kelley 15  00 

'    19— Received  of  State  Grange  of  Illinois 45  00 

"  19  "  "  "       —Dispensation 15  0:) 

"  19  "  Garden  City  Grange,  Illinois 4150 

"   19  '  W.  W.  Corbett,  (loan) 15  00 

"19  "  Alfred  Gray  lor  Manuals 150 

August  31— Received  for  Dispensation  for  Pilot  Hill  Grange,  Cal.  15  00 

September?       "  "  Meramec  Grange,  Mo..  15  00 

13       "  "  Oak  Grange,  Missouri.  15  00 

"  29       "  "  Pleasant  Prairie.Minn.  15  00 

"  ''       "  «  Capital  Grange,  Iowa..  15  00 

"       '•  '•  Atlantic  Grange,    "...15  00 

"  "       "  Deputies'  fees  in  Missouri  and  Iowa 105  50 

"  "       "  N.  J.  Coleman,  (donation) 85  00 

"  "       "  Michel  and  Kern,       "       15  00 

"  "        "  Thos.  B.  Bryan,  "        100  00 

"  "        "  '•        "  «         50  00 

October  4  "  Waukon  Grange,  State  fees 15  00 

'•      18  "  Frankville  Grange,       "       3  00 

"      18  "  Dispensation  for  Brocton  Grange,  N.  Y..  15  00 

November  15     "  Song  Books 120 

"  15     "  Deputies'  fees 6  CO 

"  21     "  Dispensationfor  WaterfordGr'ge,  Minn.  15  00 

"  25     "  of  Sara.  E.  Adams,  (loan) 40  00 

Decembers       "  of  Wm.  Saunders 12  50 

"  5 — Dispensation  Wilton  Junction  Grange,  Iowa 15  00 

7  "  Catlin  Grange,  Illinois 15  00 

«  9— Received  of  Doctor  Trimble 5  00 


2g6 


Patrons  of  Husbandry. 


December  12— Dispensation  for  Dallas  Grange,  Iowa 15  00 

"  19— Received  of  Thomas  B.  Bryan 250  00 

"  20— Dispensation  Castle  Rocls  Grange,  Minnesota 15  00 

"  20  "  Cedar  Falls  Grange,  Iowa 15  00 

"  24  "  Darrel  Grange,  Iowa 15  00 

•'  24  "  Jefferson  Grange,  Iowa 15  00 

"  27— Received  of  Wm.  Saunders 1  00 

«•  31  "  "  "         2  00 

Advanced  by  O.  H.  Kelley,  not  credited 92  75 


N.  B.— I  will  not  trouble  the  reader  to  add  up  the  columns  until  we 
finish  the  bools,  and  then  make  one  job  of  it ;  at  which  tinie  we  will 
copy  the  opposite  pages,  and  show  '■tvhat  has  become  of  all  tub 
MONEY.''  All  monies  received  by  me  in  organizing  Subordinate 
Granges  is  entered  as  "Deputies'  fees  for  organizing." 


CHAPTER    V. 
SUCCESS    FINALLY   ASSURED. 

^f  HE  Annual  Meeting  of  the  National  Grange 
^^J  was  held  at  tlie  office  of  Brother  Saunders, 
Four-and-a-Half  Street,  Washington,  D.  C, 

January  4th,  1871. 

Present,  Brothers  Saunders,  Trimble,  Grosh, 
Thompson  and  Kelley. 

The  Secretary  read  communications  from  Brothers 
Moss,  Hinckley,  Paist,  Muir,  Allen,  Corbett,  T.  A. 
Thompson,  Bailey,  S.  E.  Adams,  McDowell,  and 
Anson  Bartlett. 

The  Secretary  made  an  informal  report  of  the 
progress  of  the  work  for  the  year,  and  suggested 
that,  as  soon  as  he  could  locate  and  open  his  office, 
a  regular  meeting  be  held,  when  the  resident  mem- 
bers should  all  be  present,  and  give  a  full  day  to 
the  business  needing  attention. 

It  was  also  decided  that  the  Executive  Committee 
meet  once  each  month,  at  the  Secretary's  office, 
wherever  that  might  be  located. 

In  consideration  of  the  liberal  aid  extended  by 
Hon.  Thomas  B.  Bryan,  of  Chicago,  he  was,  by 

297 


2g8  Patrons  of  Husbandly. 

unanimous  vote,  invited  to  become  a  member  of 
the  Executive  Committee  of  the  National  Grange, 
and  the  Secretary  Avas  instructed  to  notify  him  of 
this  action  of  the  National  Grange. 

Among  the  communications  read,  were  the  fol- 
lowing: 

On  County  Granges. 

Eesolution  of  Lincoln  Grange,  No.  46,  OiUford,  Minnesota, 
dated  October  15th,  1870. 

"That  it  is  highly  necessary  that  the  National  Constitution  of 
the  Patrons  of  Husbandry  be  so  altered  as  to  create  an  Interme- 
diate or  County  Grange  in  each  county  where  there  are  ten  or 
more  Granges  organized.  Said  County  Grange  to  be  composed 
of  Masters  and  Past  Masters  of  Subordinate  Granges:  said 
County  Granges  to  meet  semi  annually  or  annually,  as  a  major- 
ity may  determine  at  any  previous  meeting  of  said  Grange  ;  to 
determine  any  local  or  general  question  which  may  properly 
come  before  said  Grange.  C.  C.  Low,  Master. 

Jonathan  Grisdale,  Secretary. 

[The  object  of  this  was  almost  exclusively  to 
enable  the  County  Granges  "  to  create  a  local 
corporation  to  buy  machinery  or  goods,  and  ship- 
ping produce."] 

From  T.  A.  Thompson: 

Plainview,  Minn.,  December  20t7i,  1870. 
Deau  Brother  Kelley  : 

As  the  time  is  near  when  the  National  Grange  will  meet 
to  deliberate  on  the  growing  necessities  of  the  Order,  I  ask  the 
privilege  of  presenting  a  few  suggestions.     *    *    * 

First.  I  would  have  an  annual  password  to  be  given.  *  *  * 
Then  I  would  have  a  grip  pertaining  to  each  degree.  *  *  * 
Again,  taking  our  State  as  an  example,  we  have,  say  sixty  Sub- 


Success  Fuially  Assured.  zqq 

ordinate  Granges.  Masters  and  Past  Masters  are  entitled  to 
seats  in  the  State  Grange  ;  if  two -thirds  attend,  that  body  will 
be  too  large,  and  attended  with  too  niueh  expense.  I  would 
like  to  see  an  Intermediate  or  County  Grange,  composed  of 
Masters  and  Past  Masters  of  Subordinate  Granges  in  the  county, 
to  meet  in  January  and  July.  At  the  January  meeting,  to  elect 
two  of  their  number  to  attend  the  next  State  Grange.  *  *  * 
It  seems  to  me,  the  growth  of  the  Order  requires  this,  or  a  shnilar 
plan,  but  perhaps  not  yet.         *        *        * 

Great  responsibility  rests  with  the  National  Grange  at  its 
coming  session.  If  they  lead  in  the  spirit  of  progress,  and  dis- 
charge the  duties  of  the  hour,  they  will  receive  the  w^elcome 
plaudit,  "  Well  done,"  etc.     Yours,  T.  A.  Thojipson 

[111  a  letter  to  Brother  Bartlett,  I  had  given  my 

plan  for  organizing  hy  letter,  to  which  he  replied  :] 

January  2d,  1871. 
Brother  Kelley : 

*  *  *  I  must  protest  against  the  plan  of  organ- 
izing Granges  by  letter,  for  it  seems  to  me  you  might  just  as 
well  publish  the  whole  work,  and  throw  it  broadcast  over  the 
land,  as  to  do  that.        *        *        *  ^    Bartlett. 

From  Brother  A.  S.    Moss,  Assistant  Steward, 

Kew  York: 

Fredonia,  N.  Y. 
Bkothers : 

It  would  give  me  pleasure,  though  a  stranger  to  most  of 
you,  to  meet  with  and  join  in  your  Annual  Council.  *  *  * 
The  spirit  that  actuates  the  head  and  heart,  will  show  itself  in 
the  actions  of  the  body.  Let  us  keep  this  in  view  while  acting 
as  the  head  of  our  beloved  Order,  and  remember  that  the  spirit 
that  is  in  us,  will  be  felt  and  manifested  in  all  the  body  of  our 
brotherhood.  Let  us  then  so  labor  that  a  true  brotherhood  shall 
bind  us,  not  only  in  name,  but  in  spirit.  An  Order  that  is  the 
outgrowth  of  the  Seventeenth  Century,  it  seems  to  me,  ought  to 
be  no  mean  Order.  It  should  have  inscribed  on  its  helmet. 
Equality,  Justice,  and  Fidelityj  — and  be  imbued  with  the  broad 


J  00  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

principles  of  Christian  civilization,  which  make  the  age  in 
which  we  live.  That  these  are  distinguishing  principles  of  our 
Order,  above  any  of  the  older  ones,  I  do  most  firmly  believe ; 
and  all  our  acts  in  the  National,  State  and  Subordinate  Councils, 
should  be  deeply  imbued  in  them.  The  Patrons  of  Husbandry 
have  a  mission  to  fill  that  is  unselfish,  elevating,  and  ennobling. 
Viewed  in  this  light,  what  responsibility  rests  upon  your  deliber- 
ations ;  upon  all  acts  in  the  Grange,  and  in  the  walks  of  life ! 
I  have  said  unselfish  :  yours  is  most  emphatically  a  work  of  self- 
abnegation.  Tour  reward  lies  in  the  hope  of  doing  good  to 
your  fellows.     Generations  unborn  will  lisp  your  praises. 

I  cannot  report  to  you  that  I  have  personally  done  much  to 
advance  our  Order,  save  that  I  have  written  some  for  the  press, 
and  answered  some  inquiries ;  but  can  saj',  when  opportunity 
has  presented,  I  have  not  failed  to  be  a  witness.  And  though 
in  the  minds  of  some,  the  progress  has  been  slow,  I  am  per- 
suaded good  seed  has  been  sown  on  good  ground,  and  will  in 
due  time  bear  fruit.  A  too  rapid  growth  would  be  evidence  to 
me  that  it  was  not  a  healthy  one ;  that  evil  would  come  of  it. 

I  have  been  requested  by  our  laborious  (may  I  not  say  irre- 
pressible) and  worthy  Secretary,  to  make  any  suggestions  that 
may  have  occurred  to  me  for  the  good  of  our  Order,  to  Avhich 
I  reply,  nothing  special.  I  presume  the  time  is  not  distant  when 
our  Ritual  will  need  remodeling,  and  when  that  time  comes,  I 
would  abbreviate.  We  need  more  songs ;  good  common-sense 
-words,  and  plain  choir  tunes,  is  all  that  is  needed,  so  that  all 
may  learn  and  sing  them.  Make  them  so  as  to  be  uniformly 
adopted  by  brothers  in  all  parts  of  the  land,  that  wherever  we 
meet  we  can  sing  together.  Let  this  be  a  feature  in  our 
Order.        *        *        * 

A  word  of  caution  may  not  be  amiss  to  Subordinate  Granges 
when  located  in  villages ;  there  is  danger  of  a  preponderating 
membership  of  the  village  residents.  When  it  can  be  done,  let 
the  Subordinate  Granges  hold  their  meetings  in  the  day-time.  A 
semi-annual  pass  would  aid  the  finances.  It  is  this  matter  of 
finances  that  will  work  death  to  Subordinate  Granges,  unless 
they  are  well  arranged  and  attended  to. 

Uniformity  in  our  work  is  most  important,  and  therefore, 
when  the  time  comes  to  remodel,  brevity  is  recommended. 


Success  Finally  Assured.  jot 

But  I  fear  I  am  becoming  prolix,  and  will  close  ;  but  not  till  I 
renew  my  sympathy  with  you  in  the  good  work.  Go  on,  work 
on,  fight  on  ;  j'ou  must  win;  you  cannot  go  back.  To  go  for- 
ward is  to  triumph  ;  to  go  back  is  death.     God  help  you  ! 

Fraternally  yours,  A.  S.  Moss. 

On  motion  of  Brother  J.  R.  Thompson,  {uljourncd 
to  meet  at  the  call  of  the  Master  ot  the  ISTational 
Grange. 


The  letters  received  from  the  South  referred  to 
the  female  mcmhership  as  a  feature  not  likely  to 
he  popular,  while  we  already  had  several  from 
Southern  ladies,  of  which  the  following  is  one : 

Cabin  Home,  Ashville,  ) 

Buncombe  Co.,  N.  C,  January  2d,  1871.  ) 

Mr.  O.  H.  Kelley, — Dear  Sir  : 

I  have  learned  through  the  Prairie  Farmer,  that  there  is 

an  organization  devoted  entirely  to  the  interests  of  farmers,  and 

write  to  ask  for  all  the  information  you  will  be  pleased  to  give 

respecting  it. 

I  have  long  wished  there  was  some  such  organization,  and  am 
much  gratified  to  learn  that  one  has  been  formed,  or  is  being 
formed.  I  am  a  woman,  but  am  very  much  interested  in  every- 
thing pertaining  to  the  Agricultural  interests  of  our  country,  and 
anything  I  can  do  to  promote  the  welfare  of  the  farming  commu- 
nity, will  be  done  with  a  hearty  good  will. 

I  think  a  Grange  might  be  established  in  Ashville,  and  believe 
many  of  our  farmers  here  would  join  your  Order.  I  shall  want 
to  become  a  member,  and  will  get  many  others  if  I  can.  If  it  is 
indeed  a  good  thing,  I  will  labor  heartily  witli  you. 

yt)ur  well-wisher,  Mrs.  Wm.  J.  Brown. 


J  02  Patrons  of  Htishanchy. 

The  First  Grange  Hall  ix  Indiana. 

Honey  Creek,  Ind.,  January  6i7i,  1871. 
Brother  Kelley  : 

Yours  of  lOtli  December  is  at  hand.  Please  send  tlie 
paper  to  organize  by  letter.  We  are  going  to  install  our  officers 
Saturday  night  of  this  week.  The  jewels  have  been  received. 
Our  Hall  is  finished,  and  we  expect  to  set  the  time  to  dedicate  it, 
at  our  next  meeting.  Any  communication  from  you  will  be 
tbankfully  received.     We  are  prospering  finely. 

Yours  fraternally,  John  Weir,  W.  M. 

My  efforts  to  get  the  Order  established  in  "Wis- 
consin had  resulted  in  a  vigorous  correspondence 
on  the  part  of  several  interested  persons,  and  I  will 
leave  the  particulars  of  the  early  work  in  that  State 
to  go  into  the  local  history,  when  that  may  be 
written.  I  will  say  that  every  letter  written  to  me 
by  members  of  the  Order  in  "Wisconsin,  during  1870 
and  1871,  have  been  preserved. 

The  first  attempt  at  Co-operation,  and  to 
inform  Subordinate  Granges  through  the  National 
Grange,  where  they  could  buy  to  advantage,  was 
made  by  Brother  Hinckley,  of  Fredonia,  January 
7th,  1871,  at  my  suggestion.  He  sent  me  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  circulars  in  stamped  unaddressed  en- 
velopes, being  special  offers  to  members  of  Subor- 
dinate Granges  to  sell  them  seeds  at  wholesale  rates. 
I  was  to  direct  them  for  the  good  of  the  Order. 
These  I  exhibited  to  ]\fr,  Saunders  with  much  satis- 


Success  Finally  Assured.  joj 

faction,  but  lie  opposed  it,  and  I  began  to  despair 
of  doing  anything  in  the  \\<iy  of  co-operation.  I 
quote  Brother  Saunders'  views,  noted  at  that  time 
on  Brother  Hinckley's  letter  to  me:  "It  is  no 
part  of  the  work  of  the  National  Grange  to  do  any 
kind  of  business ;  and  to  advertise  any  firms,  even 
at  their  own  expense,  is  out  of  all  reason."  How- 
ever, I  sent  out  the  circulars,  believing  it  to  be  ray 
duty  to  let  brother  Patrons  know  where  they  could 
buy  on  favorable  terms. 

The  following  from  one  of  our  circulars,  which 
at  that  time  had  been  in  circulation  for  a  year,  is 
appropriate  here.     The  italics  are  mine: 

"  Subordinate  Granges  are  requested,  as  part  of  their  work,  to 
communicate  free]y  with  the  National  Grange,  any  matter  which 
they  may  deem  of  interest  or  vakie  to  the  Order  at  large.  Infor- 
mation relative  to  machinery,  tools,  seeds,  etc.,  which  they  may 
have  tested  either  in  favor  of  or  otherwise,  and  whenever  they 
desire  any  information  relative  to  crops,  stock,  plants,  seeds, 
machinerj^  advertisements,  or  any  subject  whatever,  the  same 
will  be  given,  if  possible  to  be  obtained,  by  applying  to  the  Secre- 
tary of  the  National  Grange.  All  information  given  to  the 
National  is  the  property  of  the  Subordinate  Oranges,  and  will  be 
freely  imparted  to  them." 

Within  a  week  after.  Brother  Saunders  compiled 
the  following  circular,  which  I  distributed  in  letters 
to  numerous  parties,  but  it  failed  to  meet  with 
suiScient  encouragement  to  put  the  plan  into  effect. 


jo^  ^    Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

National  Grange,  ) 

Washington,  D.  C,  Jan.  18th,  1871.  ) 

To  the  State  and  Subordinate  Granges : 

The  National  Grange,  at  its  present  session,  has  been  urged 
by  a  large  number  of  Subordinate  Granges  to  adopt  some  plan  by 
which  the  members  of  the  Order  at  large  may  feel  secure  in  deal- 
ing with  parties  abroad.  In  accordance  with  this  request,  and  in 
order  to  inaugurate  a  system  of  facilitating  busmess  intercourse 
among  members  of  the  Order  on  a  basis  of  mutual  benefit  and  pro- 
tection, it  has  been  decided  that  the  Executive  Committee  of  the 
National  Grange  shall  issue  a  business  circular  as  often  as  may 
be  deemed  necessary.  In  this  circular  will  appear  the  advertise- 
ments  of  members  of  the  Order,  subject  to  the  following  condi- 
tions : 

Nurserymen,  Seedsmen,  Manufacturers  of  Agricultural  Imple- 
ments, and  any  others  who  may  desire  to  be  represented  before 
the  members  of  the  Order,  will  send  a  copy  of  the  notice  they 
wish  to  have  inserted  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Grange  to  which 
they  belong,  and,  after  receiving  the  signatures  of  the  Master  and 
Secretary  of  such  Grange,  the  notice  shall  be  enclosed  to  the  ad- 
dress of  the  Secretaiy  of  the  National  Grange. 

A  charge  sufficient  to  cover  the  cost  of  printing  and  distributing 
the  circulars  will  be  made  against  each  advertisement.  Before 
going  to  press  this  charge  will  be  ascertained  and  made  known  to 
the  parties  concerned,  so  that  they  can  remit  the  specified 
amount,  or  otherwise  advise  the  Secretary  as  they  may  deem  ex- 
pedient. 

The  mutual  advantages  to  be  derived  from  this  arrangement, 
both  to  buyer  and  seller,  will  be  sufficiently  apparent.  The  prin- 
ciples of  truth  and  honesty  in  all  transactions,  as  inculcated  in  the 
Ritual  of  the  Order,  will  be  strictly  observed,  and  any  seeming 
difficulty  that  may  arise  will  be  presented  to  the  Granges  for  ami- 
caljle  settlement. 


Success  Finally  Assured.  J05 

Where  Subordinate  Granges  elect  one  of  their  number  as  an 
agent  to  make  purchases  and  sales,  it  is  advisable  for  them  to 
notify  the  Order  at  large  througli  the  Secretary  of  the  National 
Grange. 

The  advertisements  for  the  first  edition  of  proposed  business 
circular  should  be  sent  to  the  undcrsigued  before  the  twenty-fifth 
of  February  of  the  present  year. 

Issued  by  order  of  the  Executive  Committee. 

O.  H.  Kelley,  Secretary. 

My  family  reached  "Washington  on  the  5th  of 
January.  We  leased  the  house,  1424  Sixth  Street, 
north,  and  commenced  issuing  all  our  circulars  and 
letters  from  our  new  home. 

On  January  12th  the  State  Grange  of  Iowa  was 
organized,  at  Des  Moines,  with  the  following-named 
members  : 

Dudley  W.  Adams,  Isaac  Brandt, 

J.  L.  Enos,  p.  Melindy, 

W.  D.  Whitman,  C.  D,  Beeman, 

Wm.  Anderson,  Wm.  Duane  Wilson, 

Frank  Sprague. 

Dudley  W.  Adams  was  elected  Master,  and  Gen- 
eral Wm.  Duane  Wilson,  Secretary.  We  had  good 
reason  to  feel  much  encouraged  from  this  organiza- 
tion. The  Master  had  a  live  Subordinate  Grange 
at  home,  and  accepted  the  highest  position  in  the 
State  to  make  the  Order  a  success. 

On  the  13th  of  January  we  received  the  First 
20 


jo6  Patro7ts  of  Hiishaiidiy. 

Application  for  a  Subordinate  Grange  in  "Wis- 
consin. It  was  organized  January  5th,  1871,  by 
Dr.  "W.  H.  Burnham,  under  the  name  of  Plainville 
Grange,  No.  1,  with  the  following-named  members: 

J.  W.  HoRTON,  Mrs.  G.  P.  Horton, 

S.  W.  Tyler,  Mrs.  M.  E.  Tyler, 

Henry  Wainright,  Mrs.  A.  T,  Atcherson, 

W.  W.  Wainright,  Miss  L.  E.  Tyler. 

E.  L.  Jones,  Mrs.  E.  Wainright, 

W.  T.  Atcherson,  Miss  Mary  Wainright, 

John  Townsend,  Mrs.  C.  Jones, 

C.  R.  Sickles  Mrs.  M.  J.  To\7NSend, 

E.  C.  BuRK,  Miss  M.  E.  Sickles, 

Miss  A.  E.  Burk,  Miss  S.  A.  Burk. 

It  may  be  as  well  for  the  remainder  of  this  book 
to  blend  a  cheerful  air  with  my  account  of  events, 
for  there  are  some  matters  to  be  mentioned  that 
will  give  better  satisfaction  to  those  concerned,  if 
they  are  garnished  with  a  spray  of  levity,  rather 
than  sober  fact. 

Occasionally  we  would  receive  a  letter,  of  whicn 
the  following  is  a  fair  sample.  The  writer  was  a 
newly  fledged  Deputy,  but  now  a  prominent  mem- 
ber in  a  "Western  State : 

"I  have  seen  no  'Patron'  from  any  other  section;  have 
corresponded  vrith  none  ;  don't  know  who  to  write  to,  and  have 
but  little  information,  except  what  I  received  from  you.  The 
farmers  in  this  section  nearly  all  agree  that  an  organization  of 


Success  Finally  Assured.  joy 

formers  is  necessary,  yet  many  are  afraid  tlds  Order  is  a  humbug. 
"  I  have  made  but  little  effort  to  organize  Granges,  because 
others  seemed  to  be  doing  nothing,  and  I  don't  want  to  organize 
a  few  Granges  here,  and  then  have  the  Order  fall  to  pieces.  I 
have  most  implicit  faith  in  the  Order,  and  believe  that  if  the  right 
kind  of  men  are  at  the  head,  it  can  be  made  a  grand  success. 
But  the  leaders  in  the  Order  are  entire  strangers  to  me,  and  I  do 
not  know  if  it  is  in  good  or  bad  hands.  I  am  much  in  need 
of  more  light.'''' 

I  could  readily  coincide  with  his  sentiments ;  but 
there  was  no  other  way  to  do  than  to  keep  him 
cheerful,  and  at  work  in  his  locality,  until  the 
right  men  could  be  found  to  put  at  the  head. 

We  had  arranged  our  home  matters,  and  fitted 
up  an  ofiice  in  a  front  room  of  our  dwelling.  We 
notified  the  resident  members  to  attend  a  meeting, 
the  following  being  a  copy  of  the  notice  sent  to 
Doctor  Trimble : 

"Washington,  D.  C,  January  23(Z,  1871. 
Bkother  Trimble  : 

An  adjourned  meeting  of  the  National  Grange  will  be 
held  at  my  house,  on  North  Sixth,  between  O  and  P,  fourth 
door  from  P,  new  block,  on  Wednesday  P.  M.,  January  35th, 
at  G  o'clock,  sharp.        Yours  fraternally,  O.  H.  Kklley. 

Private. — Be  sure  and  come,  for  I  count  on  your  advice  about 
fixing  up  salary,  and  payments  of  money  to  Treasurer. 

We  now  come  to  a  meeting  in  the  history  that, 
at  the  time  it  took  place,  left  an  unpleasant  feeling, 


o 


08  Patrons  of  Husbandly, 


but  the  results  were  magnificent,  as  will  be  seen  in 
our  after  progress.  This  was  called  to  complete  the 
business  of  the  first  meeting  in  the  month. 

Special  Meeting  op  the  I^atignal  Grange, 
January  25th,  1871. 

Present,  Brothers  Saunders,  Trimble,  Ireland  and 
Kelley. 

The  meeting  was  about  being  called  to  order, 
when  Brother  Ireland  said  he  had  a  previous 
engagement  and  could  not  remain,  but  would  leave 
a  communication  for  Brother  Trimble  to  present, 
and  he  retired.  It  proved  to  be  his  resignation  as 
Treasurer,  which   "was  laid  on  the  table." 

We  then  took  up  my  proposition  to  organize 
Subordinate  Granges  by  letter.  Dr.  Trimble  was 
in  excellent  talking  humor,  and  wrapped  the  "  wet 
blankets"  about  Brother  Saunders  and  myself, 
regardless  of  efiect,  and  if  there  was  any  vim  for 
the  cause  in  Brother  Saunders  when  he  came,  I 
think  Brother  Trimble  had  well  "squelched"  it 
by  the  time  he  left. 

Our  meeting  lasted  one  hour  only.  I  had  counted 
on  the  Doctor  as  one  who  would  advocate  my  views, 
but  when  he  left,  I  concluded  his  sentiments  were 
peculiar  to  himself,  and  he  had  spent  the  evening 
trying  to  see  how  big  a  scare  he  could  give  us. 


Success  Finally  Assured.  jog 

Miss  Hall  and  myself  had  left  Minnesota  with  a 
well  studied  plan  of  work,  believing  we  could  build 
up  our  Order  on  that,  and  in  no  other  way  so 
readily.  We  had  entered  upon  this  wild  venture 
with  feelings  of  warranted  success,  and  to  have  all 
our  fond  hopes  blasted  by  the  desertion  of  three 
associates  in  one  evening,  so  soon  after  our  arrival 
in  a  land  of  strangers,  and  without  any  surplus  of 
funds,  was  rather  discouraging.  After  the  depart- 
ure (for  there  was  no  formal  adjournment  of  this 
meeting,  to  which  Doctor  Trimble  will  cheerfully 
certify, — we  have  had  many  a  hearty  laugh  over  it 
since,) — I  reported  to  my  wife  and  niece  the  de- 
moralized condition  of  matters.  After  moderate 
counsel,  they  advised  me  to  take  a  good  sleep  over 
it,  and  in  the  morning  everything  would  look 
clearer. 

The  morning's  resolution  proved  a  good  one. 
"We  decided  to  jpay  no  attention  to  counsel  from  any 
one,  but  keep  our  own,  drive  ahead  as  we  had 
planned,  and  stick  to  it  until  success  crowned  our 
labors. 

For  January  we  recorded  four  new  Granges. 

I  had  arranged  with  the  printers,  Cunningham  & 
Mcintosh,  to  get  out  a  Third  Edition  of  the  Manual, 
in  the  present  pocket  form.  To  secure  this  edition 
was  essential,  and  it  was  the  last  mountain  to  be 


o 


10  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 


removed.  We  were  so  nearly  out  of  the  old  edi- 
tion, that  any  sudden  increase  of  applications  for 
new  Granges  would  necessitate  delay  in  supplying 
them.  The  printers  worked  very  slow,  as  they 
were  not  sure  of  a  deluge  of  funds.  Money  they 
must  have  hefore  the  "forms"  would  go  to  press, 
and  that  money  I  had  to  raise;  where  and  how,  put 
my  Avits  at  work. 

"We  were  having  an  active  month,  our  very  best 
thus  far;  adding  new  Granges  from  Wisconsin, 
Iowa,  Ohio  and  Pennsylvania.  Letters  of  inquiry 
were  increasing,  while  the  communications  from 
old  correspondents  were  assuming  a  more  business- 
like and  encouraging  character. 

From  Brother  Jacques : 

Charleston,  S.  C,  February  lith,  1871. 
O.  11.  Kelley, — 

Dear  Sir  and  Brother  : 

Your  favor  of  the  30th  ultimo  came  duly  to  hand. 

So  far  as  my  limited  time  has  permitted  me  to  communicate 

•with  persons  whom  it  is  desirable  to  enlist  in  our  Avork,  a  good 

degree   of  interest  is  manifested,  and  there  is  a  demand   for 

further  and  more  specific  information  than  that  afforded  by  the 

circular.     I  will  gladly  distribute  whatever  the  National  Grange 

may  furnish  me  for  that  purpose.     Probably  the  Constitution  of 

the   Grange  would    answer  many  inquiries  in  regard    to  the 

organization. 

I  purpose  to  publish  the  general  circular  in  the  next  number 

of  the  Rural  Carolinian,  which  will  bring  it  before  many  thou- 


Success  Finally  Assured.  jii 

siuuls  of  readers  in  all  jiarls  of  the  Bouth.     Please  send  me  more 
copies  of  it.  Fraternally  yours,  1) .  II.  Jacques. 

From  Dr.  Enos : 

Cedar  Rapids,  Iowa,  February  lOtJi,,  1S71. 

*  *  *  I  have  the  plans  set  for  six  Granges  in 
Benton  Coimty,  and  shall  bring  them  all  in  time.  That  -will 
coimt,  with  what  others  are  doing.  *  *  *  Send  the 
new  Manuals  as  soon  as  possible.  Jas.  L.  Enos. 

General  Wilson,  Secretary  of  the  State  Grange 
of  Iowa,  liad  enlisted  in  good  earnest,  and  with  his 
newspaper,  the  Homestead,  and  visiting  different  por- 
tions of  the  State  organizing  Subordinate  Granges, 
was  creating  quite  an  excitement.  The  General 
and  myself,  at  this  time,  enjoyed  a  furious  corres- 
pondence on  certain  matters  relative  to  the  Order. 
Our  active  experience  was  proving  of  great  value. 

To  secure  funds  to  cover  expenses,  I  had  been  in 
the  habit  of  collecting  a  fee  from  Deputies  for  their 
outfit.  At  the  General's  suggestion,  this  was  soon 
after  discontinued,  as  the  increase  of  Granges  would 
warrant  it.  Some  good  men  were  being  enlisted, 
and  by  their  letters  it  was  plain  to  be  seen  we  were 
laying  the  foundation  for  a  revolution  in  public  sen- 
timent. This  Order  was  to  bring  out  men  who  had 
never  before  taken  an  active  part  in  any  societies, 
and  place  them  in  the  front  rank. 


o 


12 


Patrons  of  Husbandry. 


On  the  20th,  I  had  addressed  a  letter  to  Mr. 
Bryan,  telling  him  the  exact  condition  of  our 
affairs,  and  the  actual  need  of  a  little  more  assist- 
ance to  carry  me  through  the  arrangement  with  the 
printer,  satisfied,  if  I  could  secure  this  loan,  no 
further  pecuniary  aid  would  he  needed. 

From  Mr.  Bryan : 

Highland  Place,         ) 
Washington,  D.  C,  Feh.  22d,  1871.  ) 

O.  H.  Kelley,— Dear  Sir  : 

I  am  in  receipt  of  yours  of  the  20tli,  delivered  this 
morning.  You  desire  S184.00  to  aid  in  printing  for  the  Patrons 
of  Husbandry,  and  propose  paying  me  interest  for  the  use  of  it 
for  six  months.  I  am  -uilling  to  malvc  the  loan,  but  not  willing 
to  receive  any  profit.  If  I  accept,  as  I  suppose  I  must,  some 
representative  position  in  the  Order,  as  you  have  frequently  pro- 
posed, it  will  be  on  the  same  terms  as  those  stipulated  by  me  in 
taking  prominent  positions  in  other  associations — to  be  entirely 
free  from  any  pecuniary  return  or  compensation,  directly  or 
indirectly. 

I  have  the  interests  of  the  fraternity  and  of  the  farmers 
warmly  at  heart,  and  am  glad  to  be  able  to  advance  them.  I 
accept  your  proposition  without  any  profit,  and  would  be  glad 
to  meet  with  you  and  your  Executive  Committee. 

It  is  best,  perhaps,  that  past  loans  be  considered  donations, 
and  I  so  declare  them,  and  this  advance  will  be  returned  by  you. 
Tours  respectfully,  Tiios.  B.  Bryan. 

This  draft  came  in  good  time,  and  led  to  several 
changes  in  business  arrangements ;  among  others,  a 
change  in  our  printers,  for  with  this  amount  and 


Success  Finally  Assured.  ji 


j>o 


sixteen  new  Granges  for  February,  the  Secretary's 
office  was  enabled  to  be  in  a  degree  independent. 
The  press  ran  lively  for  a  few  days,  and  the  new 
Manuals  were  soon  beine;  received  from  the  binder. 


From  Luke  Eger 


MONTOOMEHY  STATION,  ) 


Lycoming  County,  Pa.,  Feb.  22d,  1871 
O.  H.  Kelley, — Dear  Sir: 

I  have  at  last  succeeded  in  raising  and  organizing  a  club 
here,  and  I  think  there  will  be  but  little  trouble  after  this  in 
establishing  clubs  in  this  County, 

I  enclose  fee  for  Dispensation,  etc.  As  our  club  room  for  the 
present  is  some  distance  from  Montgomery  Station,  I  would  be 
pleased  to  be  notified  some  days  before  the  arrival  of  the  Deputy, 
so  as  to  meet  him  there  with  conveyance,  as  the  roads  are 
getting  in  bad  condition  ;  and  also  to  be  able  to  notify  the 
members.         Your  obedient  servant,  Luke  Egek. 

This  being  the  first  genuine  working  Grange  in 
Pennsylvania,  I  give  the  names  of  the  Charter 
members : 

Eagle  Grange,  No.  1,  Clinton,  Lycoming  County,  Pa. 

Luke  Eger,  Jos.  Heilman, 

John  Page,  Benj.  Harman, 

J.  Gr.  Tyson,  Daniel  Eritz, 

J.  H.  Walter,  C.  A.  Shaffer, 

Henry  Decker,  Wm.  E.  Getz, 

Abraham  Page,  J.  H,  Eritz, 

W.  II.  Hoffman,  T.  J.  Smith, 

S.  P.  Shaffer,  Michael  Sichter, 


j/^  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

Frank  Porter,  Mrs.  Samuel  Eger, 

John  Webb,  Ann  Griggs, 

D.  C.  Griggs,  Miss  Rachel  Porter, 

Chas.  Berger,  Miss  Sarah  Barda, 

J.  C.  Martian,  Mrs.  Christiana  Page, 

H.  H.  Berger.  Mrs.  Mary  Decker, 

Eli  Harman,  Mrs.  A.  Harman, 

Samuel  McLees,  Mrs.  Susan  Hoffman, 

Cornelius  Shaffer,  Mrs.  E.  A.  Walter, 

Mrs.  L.  Porter. 

With  the  documents  sent  Granges,  we  then  en- 
closed a  paper  sample  of  Regalia,  giving  instruc- 
tions how  to  be  made.  This  proved  unsatisfactory, 
and  at  General  "Wilson's  suggestion,  we  soon  com- 
menced sending  a  Gent's  Hegalia,  and  paper  pattern 
of  Ladies'. 

On  the  28th  February,  the  General  wrote : 

"  My  trip  of  two  weeks  has  resulted  in  the  formation  of  half 
a  dozen  Granges,  and  laying  the  foundation  for  three  times  as 
many,  I  think.  Do  tell  me  what  they  are  doing  in  other  States 
and  whether  agents  for  the  Order  are  being  established  in  Chi- 
cago, New  York,  etc.  I  have  promised,  there  will  be  before  fall, 
anyhow. ' ' 

W.  G.  P.  Brinckloe,  of  Philadelphia,  wrote  me : 

February  2%th,  1871. 
Yours  of  14th  duly  to  hand,  but  I  have  had  such  a  press  of 
business  as  to  prevent  my  giving  it  due  attention.  I  approve  of 
your  Order,  and  shall  do  all  ia  my  power  to  extend  it.  *  * 
I  intend  to  have  a  Grange  department  hereafter  in  the  National 
J^armer,  to  which  I  trust  you  will  send  all  news  you  can  collect. 


Si/a-c'ss  Fi)hilly  Assured.  ji^ 

This  seemed  an  excellent  opportunity,  aii<l  it  was 
not  many  weeks  before  I  had  the  paper  overflowing 
with  matter  about  the  Order.  It  was  issued  as  an 
advertising  sheet,  but  between  the  P.  0.  Depart- 
ment and  my  heav^  contributions,  it  disappeared  a 
few  months  after. 

My  plan  for  organizing  by  letter  was  answering 
the  purpose  of  letting  clubs  get  underway,  and  satis- 
fying applicants  for  Granges  until  it  would  pay  for 
Deputies  to  .reach  their  neighborhoods,  while  at  the 
same  time  they  had  no  superfluous  knowledge  of 
the  secret  work. 

Gen.  Wilson  wrote : 

Des  Moines,  February  28th,  1871. 
O.  H.  Kelley, — Dear  Brother  : 

I  caunot  get  to  Plyraoutli  Grange  at  present.  Can  you  not 
send  them  the  work  by  letter,  so  they  can  open  it  without  any 
other  aid  ?  Do  so  at  once,  as  their  petition  has  been  here  about 
ten  days.    *        *        *    As  ever,  yours, 

Wm.  Duane  Wilson. 

About  these  days  Rufus  Hatch  was  publishing  in 
the  New  York  Independent,  some  wide-awake  articles 
upon  railroads  watering  their  stock,  etc.,  and  hav- 
ing received  several  copies,  I  sent  them  West. 
They  were  soon  called  for  in  quantities  for  general 
circulation,  and  I  wrote  Mr.  Bowen  for  instructions 
as  to  where  they  could  be  obtained,  and  received  the 
following: 


J  7(5  Patrons  of  Husbandly. 

New  York,  February  21th,  1871. 
O.  H.  Kelley,— Deau  Sir  : 

Mr.  Bowen,  of  the  N.  Y.  Indexiendent,  lias  handed  me 
your  letter  to  him  of  24th  instant,  and  I  take  pleasure  in  forward- 
ing you  my  series  of  circulars  (Nos.  1,  2,  3,  and  4,)  and  have  en- 
tered your  name  to  send  the  others  as  they  are  printed.  I  also 
enclose  eighteen  sets  for  your  general  Deputies. 

Your  truly,  Rufus  Hatch,  per  L. 

Our  correspondence  in  Missouri  was  one  of  inter- 
est. Brothers  Muir  and  Allen  were  not  idle  with 
their  pens,  but  it  was  a  serious  question  with  them, 
as  with  most  of  our  friends,  whether  it  would  pay 
to  start  out  and  build  up  Granges  in  person. 

The  following  from  Brother  Allen : 

Allentown,  Mo.,  February  2hth,  1871. 
Brother  O.  H.  Kelley  . 

Received  a  note  from  you  through  the  hands  of  Brother 
Muir,  in  regard  to  sending  Deputies  into  Missouri,  to  try  to  organ- 
ize Granges.  This  would  be  very  gratifying  to  me  if  it  could  be 
successfully  done.  But  I  fear,  at  present,  it  would  not  be  a  sue- 
cess.  Brother  Muir  and  I  have  been  trying  pretty  hard  to  make 
it  go,  and  though  there  is  not  much  apparent  success,  I  think  we 
shall  yet  succeed.  Brother  Muir  has  spent  considerable  time  and 
money  by  traveling  and  otherwise,  and  lectured  a  number  of 
times.  I  have  traveled  some,  and  wrote  a  number  of  articles- 
sticking  in  something  about  the  Patrons  whenever  I  can— and 
done  considerable  talking  privately,  and  some  little  pul)licly. 
The  field  is  being  cleared.  I  tliink  our  labor  is  not  lost.  Brother 
3\Iuir  and  I  hold  ourselves  in  readiness  to  go  and  organize  a 
Grange  in  any  part  of  the  State  when  tliey  are  ready  for  it.     But 


Success  F'uially  Assured.  jiy 

wo  think  it  better  not  to  appear  too  anxious  on  the  subject,  but 
rather  to  elicit  (somewhat  indirectly)  inquiry,  to  awaken  thought, 
etc.  Our  people  here  in  Missouri  are  somewhat  peculiar.  They 
have  a  good  deal  of  the  old  prejudice  against  new  things,  espe- 
cially if  it  comes  from  the  East — a  relict  of  Pro-Slavery  barbarism. 
We  have  to  feel  our  way  along  among  them,  and  when  a  favora- 
ble opportunity  presents  itself,  be  ready  to  strike. 

Brother  Muir  delivered  a  most  splendid  lecture  at  our  installa- 
tion ;  the  best  I  ever  heard  of  him  or  of  anj^body  else  on  that 
subject.  We  intend  to  publish  it,  but  not  until  May,  as  we  want  to 
have  him  repeat  it  before  our  Horticultural  Society  in  that  month. 
The  weather  was  unfavorable  on  the  occasion,  and  not  many  out. 
Mine  on  the  same  occasion  will  probably  be  out  in  the  Rural  be- 
fore that  time.  I  enclose  you  an  article  cut  from  the  Rural,  as  a 
sample  of  how  we  work  in  when  opportunity  offers. 

If  you  think  best  to  send  us  help,  we  shall  certainly  interpose 
no  objection.  I  have  given  you  my  views.  I  think  we  shall 
succeed,  but  it  will  take  time,  and  that  it  is  better  to  hasten  slow- 
ly at  present. 

Shall  be  glad  to  hear  from  you  as  frequently  as  convenient. 
Hoping  for  your  health  and  prosperity,  and  the  success  of  the 
Patrons,  I  am  fraternally  yours,         T.  E.  Allen. 

The  State  Grange  of  Minnesota  closed  its  Annual 
Session  on  the  24th  of  February,  having  elected 
Brother  T.  A.  Thompson,  Master.  This  brought 
us  another  active  member  into  the  ITational  Grange. 
In  reply  to  his  several  suggestions  relative  to  im- 
proving the  unwritten  work,  I  requested  him  to 
send  me,  for  the  Executive  Committee,  a  full 
description  of  it,  and  if  it  proved  of  real  value, 
very  likely  it  would  be  adopted. 


ji8  ratrons  of  Husbandry. 

One  of  our  earliest  letters  from  Mississippi  was 

dated : 

BooNviLLE,  Miss.,  Marched,  1871. 
O.  H.  Kellet,— Dear  Sik  : 

I  have  just  read  in  the  Rural  Carolinian,  published  in 
Charleston,  S.  C,  a  notice  of  the  new  Order,  known  as  the 
''Grange,"  and  am  desirous  of  further  knowledge  on  the 
subject.  Will  j'ou  be  so  kind  as  to  post  me  further,  and  oblige 
the  editor  of  a  little  paper  in  this  place. 

Truly,  J.  M,  Norment. 

From  J.  C.  Abbott : 

Clarksville,  Iowa,  March  2d,  1871. 
O.  H.  Kelley, — My  Dear  Sir  : 

Yesterday  I  received  from  you  the  Dispensation  for  our 
Grange  (No.  21),  together  with  the  Manuals,  circulars,  etc.  I 
enclose  herewith  money  for  sample  of  Gents'  Regalia. 

We  think  we  shall  soon  gather  in  a  large  and  influential 
Grange.  Yours  truly,  J,  C.  Abbott. 

General  "Wilson  wrote  on  8th  of  March,  "What 
is  the  Lecturer  of  the  National  Grange  doing? 
lias  he  prepared  anything  for  the  instruction  of 
Granges?  Your  Grand  Officers  will  have  to  work 
if  they  want  to  retain  their  places.  "Work  is  the 
word." 

On  March  13th  I  received  a  long  and  interesting 
letter  from  Brother  Adams,  Master  of  State  Grange 
of  Iowa,  in  which  he  strongly  advocated  a  reduction 
of  Deputy's  fees,  and  the  State  Grange  retaining 


r,:9 


J.    C.    ABBOTT. 


MRS.    J.     C.    ABBOTT. 


Success  F'umlly  Assured.  jin 

the  degree  dues,  then  claimed  by  the  Constitution 
for  the  National  Grange.  lie  reviewed  the  corres- 
pondence from  members  of  the  Order  in  his  State, 
and  gave  me  much  valuable  information  and  advice, 
some  of  which  was  afterwards  engrafted  in  our  laws. 

Our  work  in  the  office  required  me  to  call  occa- 
sionally upon  Brothers  Saunders  and  J.  11.  Thomp- 
son, while  I  did  not  wholly  ignore  our  "wet 
blanket,"  the  Doctor,  who  took  delisxht  in  savins: 
ho  had  dispersed  the  ISTational  Grange  as  eftectually 
as  Cromwell  did  the  Parliament,  or  as  a  stone 
thrown  among  a  squad  of  frogs.  Brother  Ireland 
had  most  decidedly  withdrawn  himself,  because  I 
had  not  complied  with  his  plans  relative  to  the 
financial  part  of  the  work.  His  views  were  theo- 
retically correct;  but,  though  somewhat  homespun, 
mine,  practically,  answered  the  purpose  until  the 
National  Grange  was  permanently  organized  and 
incorporated. 

Oscar  Dinwiddle  put  in  an  appearance  in  the 
Order,  by  a  letter  dated 

Orchard  Grove,  Ind.,  March  20ih,  1871. 
O.  11.  IvELiiEY, — Dear  Sir  : 

The  farmers  in  this  neighborhood  have  organized,  and  iu 
successful  operation,  a  Farmers'  Club,  but  some  of  us  think  we 
would  like  to  organize  a  Grange  of  the  Patrons  of  Husbandry-. 
Please  tell  me  how  to  proceed,  as  none  of  us  know  anj-thing 
about  it.  Yours  respectfully,  Oscar  Dinwiddie. 


^20  Patrons  of  Iliishandiy. 

On    March    22cl,   Brother   Jacques   wrote    from 

Charleston : 

I  am  sowing  the  good  seed  througliout  this  State  and  tlie 
South.  I  trust  some  of  it  falls  on  good  and  properly  prepared 
ground.  No  opposition  in  any  active  form  has  developed  itself 
as  yet,  but  there  exists  at  present  a  degree  ot  apathy,  which  is 
worse.  *         *  *         There  is  need  of  a  Special  Deputy 

here  in  Charleston  to  undertake  the  organization  of  a  Grange  or 
Granges  in  Charleston  County.  As  other  duties  prevent  me 
from  the  out-door  work  required  to  get  up  a  Club,  I  recommend 
for  that  position,  "William  E.  Simmons,  Jr.,  of  this  city.  *  *  * 
Very  truly  and  fraternally,        D.  II.  Jacques. 

Our  first  communication  from  Alabama  was  from 
a  reader  of  the  Rural  Carolinian. — J.  II.  Barwr,  of 
Eutaw.       -f 

Early  in  March,  calls  for  Hatch's  circulars  were 
loud,  and  I  found  it  advisable  to  solicit  another 
supply,  and  obtained  from  Mr.  Hatch  eight  hun- 
dred more.  Thej'  proved  excellent  "  fuel "  for 
Deputies  to  circulate.  One  wrote:  "Send  them 
by  the  hundred;  flood  the  country  with  them." 
Another  wrote:  "The  matter  contained  in  them 
is  most  astounding,  and  yet  I  predicted  the  same 
thing  thirty  years  ago,"  etc. 

I  wrote  Brother  Allen : 

Marcli  lUJi,  1871. 
BnoTnER  Allen : 

Who  shall  be  appointed  in  St.  Louis  as  the  Agent  of  the 
Order,  to  buy  and  sell  for  the  Granges  in  Iowa  and  Minnesota  ? 


Success  Finally  Assured.  3~i 

Be  cautions  in  making  the  sf^lcction  ;  lie  must  be  a  man  that  is 
above  reproach,  and  who  will  deal  honorably  with  the  members. 
In  time  it  will  undoubtedly  be  a  large  business.  *        *        * 

Do  not  be  discouraged  because  the  work  goes  slow  in  j-our 
State  ;  it  will  come  out  all  right  by  and  by.  Y/'e  ought  to  have 
a  A'igorous  membership  near  headquarters.         *        *        '■'■ 

Yours  fraternally,  O.  II.  K. 

Colonel  D.  S.  Curtiss  received  a  commission  as 
General  Deputy,  in  December,  1870,  and  left  for 
Ohio,  thence  into  Pennsylvania,  "jv  As  an  earnest, 
hard  worker,  he  had  few  equals;  but  not  corres- 
ponding success.  lie  gave  the  first  instructions  to 
Plain  Grange,  in  Stark  County,  Ohio,  of  which 
Brother  Henry  McDowell  was  I^Iaster,  and  I  think 
the  oldest  living  Grange  in  the  State.  lie  also 
gave  instructions  to  the  Grange  at  Montgomery 
Station,  in  Pennsylvania.  In  most  of  the  towns  ho 
visited,  the  Order  had  not  been  heard  of,  and  the 
people  were  not  then  ready  for  the  organization. 
Since  then,  however,  these  places  have  taken  much 
interest,  and  now  have  Granges.  Probably  no  Dep- 
uty ever  traveled  more  miles  on  foot,  or  met  with 
more  discouragements.  His  letters  were  frequent, 
and  always  cheerful.  He  said  in  one:  "I  shall 
keep  working;  there  is  some  fun  in  the  efFort  r>nd 
motive,  if  nothing  else." 

}.Iarcli  closed,  giving  us  thirteen  new  Granges. 
£1 


J22  Patrons  of  Husbandly. 

April. 

The  great  "bulk  of  our  letters  gave  us  new  ideas, 
and  every  possible  way  to  bring  the  Order  into 
notice,  was  adopted.  "Co-operation"  and  "down 
with  monopolies,"  were  proving  popular  watch- 
Avords.  About  this  time,  I  changed  the  form  of 
our  circular  into  that  of  the  Tracts,  giving  them 
numbers,  and  thus  commenced  what  I  had  long 
advocated — this  form  of  disseminating  information 
among  the  people — a  convenient  form  for  mailing, 
reading,  and  binding.     Free  tracts  for  the  million! 

The  opponents  of  the  Order  were  beginning  to 
show  quite  an  interest  in  our  financial  matters. 
The  "  large  amount  of  money "  that  was  then 
"  being  paid  to  the  Secretary,"  gave  them  a  great 
deal  of  anxiety,  and  hardly  a  mail  came  but  we 
received  at  least  one  letter  asking,  "what  becomes 
of  all  the  money  sent  to  the  N'ational  Grange?" 
and  I  doubt  if  a  day  has  passed  since,  but  one 
or  more  letters  asking  the  same  question,  and 
another  prophesying  the  rapid  downfall  of  the  In- 
stitution. But  still  it  lives!  It  is  founded  on 
truth  and  justice,  and  must  prevail. 

However,  in  my  office  our  special  work  was  to 
establish  the  Order — spread  the  organization  into 
every  State,  and  then  into  every  county  and  town. 
To  have  an  association  with  one  million  members. 


Success  Finally  Assured.  J2j 

was  our  aim.  What  tlio  Order  might  accoiiiplisli, 
depended  upon  the  men  and  women  who  slioidd  he 
leaders  in  the  Subordinate  Granges.  Get  tlicsc 
first,  then  State  organizations,  and  then  perma- 
nently organize  the  National  Grange.  My  corres- 
pondence at  this  time,  with  leaders  in  the  several 
States,  brought  me  in  return  many  encouraging 
words  such  as  these: 

From  Missouri : 

"I  am  glad  your  faith  is  still  so  strong,  and  your  heart  so 
brave.  Our  cause  is  a  noble  one,  and  with  such  courage  and 
energy,  even  in  a  few  brave  souls,  must  succeed.  In  the  pros- 
perity of  the  farmers  is  involved  the  prosperity  and  happiness  of 
the  world,  T.  R.  Allen." 

From  Mississippi : 

"  I  think,  from  what  I  know  of  the  wants  of  our  citizens,  the 
time  is  ripe  for  the  organization,  and  sincerely  believe  our 
people  would  heartily  co-operate  in  perfecting  its  success ;  and 
in  an  organization  eschewing  '■politics,^  it  strikes  a  sympathetic 
chord  with  the  wishes  of  the  people.  R.  Fowler,  M.D." 

To  Brother  Allen  I  wrote: 

"Since  I  was  in  St.  Louis,  Iowa  has  organized  thirty -five 
Subordinate  Granges,  and  they  are  trying  to  lead  all  other 
States,  but  do  not  be  discouraged  ;  I  feel  confident  Missouri  will 
come  up  with  full  ranks  in  good  time.  Mississippi  and  Alabama 
are  in  correspondence,  and  I  look  for  a  large  membership  in  the 
South.  O.  H.  K." 


J  5^  Patro7is  of  Husbandry. 

The  first  letter  from  Kentucky  was  from  R.   S. 

Reeves,  of  Allensville.     He  wrote  to  Brinckloe  & 

Marot,  at  Philadelphia : 

A'pril  IStJi,  1871. 
Gents  : 

For  a  few  weeks  I  have  been  receiving  your  paper,   The 

National  Farmer.    Among  other  valuable  things,  I  find  something 

about  Patrons  of  Husbandry,  Granges,  etc,     Our  Farmers'  Club 

appointed  a  man  to  correspond  with  some  persons,  and  learn 

more  upon  the  subject.     If  you  can  do  so,  I  would  like  to  have 

you  give  me  an  account  of  its  origin,  objects,  progress,  etc.     If 

there  is  any  good,  we  want  to  have  it. 

Yours,  etc.,  R.  S.  Reeves. 

April  proved  a  busy  month  for  ofliice  work,  but 
light  in  Dispensations ;  we  issued  but  six.  On  the 
30th,  I  wrote  to  Brother  Allen : 

"  We  must  keep  the  Order  continually  before  the  public ;  it 
will  not  answer  to  be  modest,  if  we  want  to  meet  with  success. 
I  don't  believe  in  hiding  our  light  under  bushels,  or  anything 
else.  I  only  wish  somebody  could  say  or  do  something  that 
would  make  the  Order  known  all  over  the  laud  in  forty-eight 
hours.  *  *  *  There  is  not  excitement  enough ;  we 
want  to  be  so  fixed  in  popular  favor,  that  applications  will  come 
in  for  Charters  at  the  rate  of  three  or  four  a  day,  instead  of  that 
number  in  a  week.*    We  lack  the  capital,  and  must  win  credit 

•It  has  been  my  pleasure,  since  then,  to  see  opened  in  ray  office  in 
one  day,  one  hundred  and  sixty-five  applications,  accompanied 
by  the  fee  of  Fifteen  Dollars  each— aggregating  two  thousand  four 
hundred  and  seventy-flve  dollars. 


Success  h'inally  Assured.  j2^ 

from  our  own  efforts,  and  show  what  a  few  determined  men 
and  women  can  do.  Keep  pegging  away,  and  your  State  will 
yet  come  to  the  front.  O.  II.  K." 

Notwithstanding  the  vote  on  the  4tli  of  Junuary, 
that  the  Executive  Committee  meet  once  a  month, 
the  Doctor's  "wet  blanket"  seemed  to  keep  tlie 
spirits  of  our  resident  members  very  quiet,  and  an 
occasional  call  from  Brother  Saunders,  to  sign  J)is- 
pensations,  sufficed  for  all  practical  purposes. 

May,  1871, 
Opened  with  a  letter  from  Joseph  Sej-mour  &  Son, 
urging  me  to  "stir  up  the  Granges  to  send  for 
Jewels,  as  the  dies  cost  quite  a  sum,  and  have 
not  paid  interest  on  the  outlay."  For  my  part,  I 
was  more  anxious  just  then  to  see  new  Granges 
organize  than  to  interest  myself  much  in  decorating 
the  officers. 

Anxious  to  get  a  foothold  in  Vermont,  I  asked 
Brother  J.  R.  Thompson  to  reply  to  a  letter 
received  from  Jonathan  Lawrence,  to  which  he 
rejoined,  that  the  letter  satisfied  him  the  Order 
•was  "a  good  thing  for  the  farming  community,  but 
the  trouble  is  to  make  them  believe  it."  Brother 
Lawrence  worked  faithfully,  and  is  recorded  as  the 
Pather  of  the  Order  in  Vermont. 

Mr.  Brinckloe  wrote,  in  reply  to  an  order  of 
mine  for  two  thousand  copies  of  The  National 
Farmer : 


J26  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

Philadelphia,  May  9iA,  1871. 
O.  H.  Kelley,  Esq., — 

Deau  Sir  and  Brother  : 

I  send  you  by  to-day's  express,  one  thousand  of 

Farmer.     It  is  stirring  up  quite  an  interest  in  the  cause.     We 

are,  however,  hurting  ourselves  among  many  of  our  subscribers, 

who,  so  far,  believe  it  to  be  a  political  institution. 

The  Order  is  not  doing  much  of  anything  for  us,  and  yet  it  is 

through  such  an  organ  you  are  to  reach  the  public  cheaply  and 

effectually.       *      *      *      x  send  you  several  letters  of  inquiry. 

"Will  publish  another  instalment  this  week. 

Fraternally,  W.  G.  P.  Brinckloe. 

From  Dudley  W.  Adams: 

"Waukon,  Iowa,  May  ISith,  1871. 
O.  H.  Kelley,— Dear  Brother  : 

May  15th  I  organized  at  Cresco,  Howard  County  Grange, 
with  the  following  members  ;  *  »  *  Master — A.  B. 
Smedley.  I  also  send  names  and  fee  for  a  Grange  organized  at 
Twin  Springs,  May  16th.  *  *  *  h^j^x  going  to 

Frankville  Grange  to-morrow  to  lecture. 

Yours,  D.  W.  Adams. 

Now,  that  our  Order  is  a  success,  one  may  enter 
the  confessional  with  propriety,  and  not  be  censured 
if  he  acknowledges  some  things  were  rather  mythi- 
cal in  those  days,  when  every  anxious  inquirer  ex- 
pected the  most  favorable  answers.  To  have  said 
"No,"  when  his  whole  happiness  depended  upon 
"Yes,"  would  have  blasted  our  chances,  by  dis- 
couraging all  those  we  were  trying  to  enlist  in  the 
cause.     I  am  reminded  of  this  by  several  earnest 


Success  Finally  Assured.  j2y 

letters  of  those  days  from  Brother  T.  A.  Thompson, 
lie  -ssas  particularly  desirous  to  add  to  our  liitual  a 
more  systematic  " unwritten"  work,  and,  to  en- 
courage him,  I  replied  that  he  might  send  an  out- 
line, and  I  would  submit  it  to  the  Executive  Com- 
mittee. He  did  so,  but  I  could  not  at  first  compre- 
hend the  explanation  of  tlie  MSS.,  and  called  for  a 
more  minute  description.  As  he  and  myself  have 
had  considerable  amusement,  recallino-  the  imaai- 
nary  scene  of  that  "Executive  Committee"  examin- 
ing that  composition,  it  will  suffice  to  say  that  the 
last  time  I  wrote  him,  in  jMay,  I  told  him  the  matter 
would  be  thoroughly  examined  at  the  next  meeting 
of  the  Committee,  and  I  laid  it  in  the  pigeon  holes 
for  future  reference,  while  he  was  introducing  it  to 
some  of  the  Minnesota  Gransres,  receiving"  their 
hearty  endorsement. 

This  month  brought  Mississippi  into  our  ranks. 
33rother  W.  L.  AVilliams  wrote: 

RiENZi,  Miss.,  Mai/20t7i,  1871. 
O.  H.  Kellet, — Dear  Sir  : 

I  have  succeeded  in  getting  up  a  Subordinate  Grange  in 

this  place,  and  desire  to  know  if  we  can  send  you  the  requisite 

fees  for  Charter,  etc.,  and  commence  work  without  sending  for 

Deputy.      If   this  can  be  done,   it  will  save   the  Grange  the 

expense  of  from  $oO  to  $100,  which  will  be  a  considerable  item 

to  us.     Everybody  is  pleased  with  the  Order,  as  far  as  thcj^  can 

know  of  it.     I  was  elected  Master  of  this  Grange,  and  we  ouly 

want  to  know  how  to  lead  off.        Yours  respectfully, 

W.  L.  Williams. 


^ 


28  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 


My  reply  enabled  him  to  organize  liis  Grange  "6y 
letter"  as  desired.  Ilis  temporary  organization  made 
Itienzi  really  the  oldest  in  the  South,  being  on  the 
20th  of  May,  while  Ashley  Grange,  of  Charleston, 
South  Carolina,  was  reported  as  organized  on  May 
24th;  but  the  application  for  Rienzi,  of  Mississippi, 
is  dated  June  3d. 

Under  the  same  date,  I  received  the  information 
from  Oscar  Dinwiddle,  of  Orchard  Grove,  Indiana : 

"  We  organized  to-day  with  thirty  members,  but  they  think 
best  to  wait  a  few  days  before  they  send  for  a  Dispensation,  to 
allow  a  few  who  could  not  attend,  to  come  into  the  Grange  as 
Charter  members." 

May  23d  brought  me  the  information  from  Mr. 
Brinckloe,  that  he  had  been  obliged  to  suspend  The 
National  Farmer.  lie  had  been  issuing  it  as  an 
advertising  sheet,  and  the  Post  Office  Department 
claimed  he  was  sending  it  out  contrary  to  law. 
Suffice  it  to  say,  the  Order  gained  some  notoriety, 
but  our  tracts  answered  an  equal  purpose,  and  I 
have  not  taken  much  stock  in  a  National  organ 
since. 

Our  next  good  news  was  dated: 

Chauleston,  S.  C,  Ma^  25th,  1871. 
BiiOTHER  Kellet  : 

I  have  the  pleasure  of  enclosing  herewith  the  Roll  signed 

bj'  Charter  members,  application  for  Dispensation,  and  a  Post 


OSCAR    DINWIDDIE. 


A.  A.   BAYLEY. 


D.  S.  CURTI8S. 


329 


W.    L.   WILLIAMS. 


Success  Finally  Asstaxd.  j2g 

Ofljco  money  order  for  fifteen  dollars.  In  so  doing,  I  have  pur- 
sued what  I  take  to  be  the  right  course.  If  I  have  made  any 
mistake,  please  inform  me  for  future  reference.         *  *  * 

Fraternally  yours,  Wm.  E.  Simmons. 

Ashley  Grange,   No.  1,  Charleston,  South  Carolina. 

CHARTER    MEMBERS. 

A.  B.  EosE,  J.  C.  Cammer, 

E.  L.  EocHE,  H.  "W.  Kinsman, 

Jas.  H.  Deveraux,  E.  E.  Brown, 

C.  I.  Walker,  D.  H.  Jacques, 

J.  C.  11.  Claussen,  Wm.  E.  Simmons,  Jr., 

Wm.  Ufperhardt,  Mrs.  Emma  E.  Eose, 

E.  W.  DisHER,  Mrs.  Jane  J.  Eoche, 

J.  A.  Atkinson,  Mrs.  Maria  L.  Bacot, 

J.  L.  Bacot,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Geiger, 

H.  Williams,  Mrs.  Maria  E.  Jacques, 

David  Geiger,  Mrs.  Mary  E.  Atkinson, 

Jos.  T.  Dill,  Miss  Emma  J.  Simmons. 

In  hopes  of  obtaining  some  valuable  information 
to  send  our  Granges,  during  May  I  was  searching  for 
knowledge,  and  addressed  to  lion.  Horace  Capron, 
Commissioner  of  Agriculture,  in  Washington,  a 
letter  asking  what  practical  information  he  could 
give  me  relative  to  the  destruction  of  Pocket 
Gophers,  and  how  to  get  rid  of  Cut  Worms,  both 
of  which  were  so  destructive  to  our  crope  in  the 
AVest.     I  append  the  reply,  signed  by  the  Commis-" 


jjo  Patrojis  of  Husbandly. 

sioner.  It  shows  the  Department,  under  Capron, 
was  a  poor  place  to  apply  for  reliable  practical  infor- 
mation in  the  worm  line.     The  italics  are  mine : 

Department  of  Agriculture,     ) 
Washington,  D.  C,  June  %Ut,  1871.  ) 

O.  H.  Kellet,  Esq.,  Washington^  D.  G.: 

Dear  Sir: 

In  the  American   Agriculturist   for  1864,   p.    T7, 

strychnine  is  recommended  to  be  used  to  poison  the  gophers,  and 

in  the  same  Journal  for  1866,  volume  25,  p.  139,  you  will  find  a 

drawing  and  description  of  a   trap  which  is  said  to  be  very 

effectual.     In  the  Report  of  this  Department  for  1864,  p.  553, 

you  will  also  find  an  article  treating  on  the  various  remedies 

which  have  been  proposed,   to  destroy  the   Cut  Worm.     Fall 

plowing  is  said  to  be  useful,    by   turning  up  the  worms  and 

exposing  them  to  the  attacks  of  birds,  and  the  winter'' s  frost  and 

inclemency  of  the  weather.     Salt  has  also  been  spoken  highly  of, 

but  the  only  danger  is,  that  if  used  in  sufiicient  quantities  to  kill 

the  Cut  Worms,  vegetation  might  also  be  injured. 

I  am,  respectfully,        Horace  Capron,  Commissioner. 

One  of  our  most  earnest  friends  to  the  Order, 
was  Col.  R.  D.  Powell,  of  Columbus,  Mississippi. 
He  commenced  correspondence  early  in  April,  and 
proved  an  indefatigable  worker,  though  far  ad- 
vanced in  years.  Our  success  in  his  part  of  the 
State,  and  in  Western  Alabama,  is  largely  due  to 
him.  Brother  "Williams,  the  Secretary  of  the  State 
Grange,  early  made  himself  a  leader  in  the  Work. 
He  wrote : 


Success  Fhially  Assured.  jji 

RiENZi,  June  6th,  1871. 
Mr.  O.  H.  Kelley, — Dear  Sir  : 

I  have  sent  you  by  express  to-day,  a  list  of  members  "who 
have  paid  fees,  and  application  for  Charter  and  other  necessary 
documents  for  organization  of  a  Grange  here;  also  enclose  $1.~) 
to  pay  for  same.     I  send  it  hy  express,  believing  it  to  be  th(! 
safest  way.      We  have  eight  or  ten  more  members  not  men- 
tioned, who  were  not  present,  and  have  not  paid  fees.     Will 
forward  their  names  soon.     There  are  several  more  Granges  pre- 
paring for  organization.     I  would  be  glad  if  you  would  author- 
ize me  to  organize  them,  and  send  me  ten  or  fifteen  blanks  each, 
in  order  that  I  may  supply  them  when  needed.     I  would  be 
glad   to  be  informed  when   enough   Granges  are  organized  to 
organize  a  State  Grange.     Please  give  me  all  instructions.     This 
thing  needs  only  to  be  understood  in  this  country.     We  have 
wanted  general  organization  among  the  farming  class,  but  have 
not  so  far  succeeded.     I  think  this  will  be  the  thing.     We  will 
have  a  very  large  Grange  here  ;  plenty  of  ladies  desire  to  join  ; 
going  to  have  a  nice  thing  of  it. 

Yours  fraternally,  W.  L.  Williams. 

This  was  the  First  Grange  in  Mississippi,  and 
the  following  are  the  names  of  Charter  members : 

RiENZi   GnANGE,   Kg.    1,    organized  June  M,   1871. 

W.  L.  Williams,  C.  B.  Curlee, 

W.  A.  Parish,  W.  M.  Ross, 

Benj.  Pook,  H.  H.  iRviJf, 

R.  L.  Boone,  B.  C.  Stanly, 

S.  M.  White,  W.  H.  Boone, 

J.  C.  Nichols,  B.  Burnett, 

C.  W.  Williams,  T.  C.  Johnson, 

O.  T.  DouGiiTRY,  B.  F.  Williams, 
L.  B.  Mitchell. 


OJ> 


:^2  Patrons  of  Hiisbatidry. 


On  the  17tli  of  June,  Brother  Powell  followed  in 
Mississippi,  with  Columbus  Grange,  No.  2. 

It  had  been  suggested  to  Mr.  Saunders  and 
myself,  by  one  connected  with  the  Chronicle,  in 
AYashington,  that  the  editor  was  desirous  of  devot- 
ing some  portion  of  his  weekly  issue  to  the  inter- 
ests of  the  Order;  hence,  with  that  object,  we  had 
an  interview  with  him,  and  partial  arrangements 
were  made  that  we  should  furnish  a  certain  quan- 
tity of  matter,  and  do  what  we  could  to  add  to  the 
circulation,  as  an  off-set.  But  the  arrangement  fell 
'through,  from  lack  of  time,  on  my  part,  to  attend 
to  the  matter.  Miss  Hall  and  myself  were  usually 
at  our  desks  as  early  as  six  in  the  morning,  and  as 
late  as  nine  and  ten  in  the  evening,  attending  to 
correspondence,  and  preparing  and  sending  off  our 
packages,  hence  had  no  time  for  writing  editorials. 

I  had  been  writing  to  Mr.  Geo.  Koyes,  editor  of 
the  Massachusetts  Ploughman,  for  some  time,  under 
the  impression  that  if  his  paper  would  advocate  our 
cause,  we  should  be  made  in  New  England. 

He  wrote  me : 

Boston,  June  7th,  1871. 
O.  H.  Kelley, — Dear  Sik: 

We    shall    come    out  strong    this   week    editorially    for 

''Patrons    of   Husbandry,"     being    fully    convinced    ourselves 

first,  that  everything  is  all  right  in   the  system  and  working, 

tests  and  restrictions  of  the  Order.     You  will  now,  therefore, 


Success  Fmally  Assured.  jjj 

find  the  Ploxighman  a  co-operative  and  sympathetic  friend  all 
the  way  through.  We  have  taken  pains  to  issue  a  good  number 
this  week,  and  shall  send  specimen  copies  to  such  names  as  you 
have  forwarded,  and  also  the  fifty  copies  to  your  address.  You 
must  have  observed  that  we  have  been  careful  that  this  was 
right  before  entering  into  it  fully.  Therefore,  if  you  can  do 
anything  to  extend  our  circulation,  we  should  be  happy  to 
receive  it.  We  are,  most  truly  yours,  Geo.  Notes. 

June  7tli,  Brother  Jacques  wrote :  "  I  think  I  have 
set  the  ball  in  motion  in  Alabama,  as  well  as  Mis- 
sissippi." His  letters  to  us  were  frequent,  and  I 
soon  found  he  was  using  his  pen  privately  to  ad- 
vance our  interests,  in  several  of  the  Southern 
States. 

The  Deputies  in  Iowa  were  now  doing  such  good 
work,  I  was  anxious  to  get  some  of  them  into 
adjoining  States,  and  hence  wrote  letters  to  several 
successful  ones  with  that  view.  J.  AYilkinson  visited 
Illinois,  and  made  the  trial  in  Whitesides  County. 
He  found  poor  encouragement  at  first,  but  the 
results  of  the  few  Granges  he  started,  were  evident 
a  few  months  later. 

The  man  who  set  the  ball  in  motion  in  N'orthern 
Indiana  wrote : 

Orchard  Grove,  Lake  County,  Ind. 
O.  H.  Kelley,  Secretary  of  the  National  Q range  : 
Dear  Sir: 

I  send  you  by  Post  Office  money  order,  the 
fee  of  fifleen  dollars  for  Dispensation   and  all  necessary  docu- 


jj^  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

nients  to  enable  us  to  work  in  a  Subordinate  Grange.  If  you 
desire  me  to  act  as  Special  Deputy,  I  tliinlv  I  could  organize 
some  more  Granges  in  this  section.  The  farmers  are  inquiring 
into  the  workings  of  the  Order.  If  you  wish  me  to  act,  please 
send  full  instructions  and  necessary  blanks.  Some  men  in  the 
South-west  part  of  our  county,  and  some  in  the  county  adjoin- 
ing, are  anxious  to  organize  in  their  respective  sections.  Please 
send  Dispensation  at  your  earliest  convenience. 

Yours  truly,  Oscar  Dinwiddie. 

June  24th,  General  "Wilson  wrote: 

"  Six  Granges  unite  together  in  Dallas  County,  on  the  4th  of 
July,  near  Dallas  Centre,  to  celebrate  it  by  a  basket  pic-nic  ;  am 
invited  to  address  them  ;  expect  a  good  time  ;  wish  you  could  be 
with  us.  Enclosed  please  find  Post  Office  order  for  fifteen 
dollars  for  Ottumwa  Grange.  I  expect  to  open  two  or  three 
Granges  in  Nebraska,  when  I  can  find  time  to  go  there." 

From  December  until  the  last  of  this  present 
month,  Dr.  W.  II.  Buriiham  had  been  oro-anizinc: 
as  General  Deputy  in  Wisconsin.  He  had  proved 
our  most  voluminous  correspondent,  and  in  this 
respect,  a  success, — his  letters  containing  from  six 
to  thirty  pages  cap  paper,  closely  written  in  a  clear 
business  hand,  and  perfectly  free  from  errors  in 
spelling  or  erasures,  and  really  singular  specimens 
of  composition,  lie  organized  twenty  Subordinate 
Granges;  nearly  every  member  of  them  was  de- 
scribed in  glowing  colors  at  length  in  his  letters. 
In    organizing   the    State    Grange,  he   favored   me 


Success  Pinally  Assured.  jjj 

with  nearly  sixii/  ^^a^es^dcscriptivo  tlicrcof.  All  of 
this  matter  I  now  have,  and  it  will,  perhaps,  some 
day  answer  for  a  history  of  the  Order  in  that  State 
in  those  early  days. 

June  12tli  was  the  day  set  for  the  State  organiza- 
tion. Brother  T.  A.  Thompson,  member  of  State 
Grange  of  Minnesota,  had  been  invited  to  attend 
and  assist  the  Doctor,  but  by  some  misunderstand- 
ing, could  not  reach  Plainfield  in  season.  S.  "\V. 
Pierce  Avas  elected  Master,  and  G.  W.  Sheardown, 
Secretary.  From  the  numerous  accounts  received 
of  this  meeting,  and  the  expressive  resolutions 
afterwards  passed,  it  was  evident  the  most  perfect 
harmony  did  not  exist  in  the  organization,  and  for 
the  present  we  will  pass  it  by. 

In  the  progress  of  the  work  in  Iowa,  I  received  this 
suggestion  from  Brother  J.  C.  Abbott:  "Would  it 
not  be  well  for  you  to  issue  a  circular  addressed  to 
various  manufacturers,  informing  them,  in  general 
terms,  of  the  aims  of  our  Order,  especially  as  to  the 
purchase  of  machinery,  and  ask  those  who  want  our 
patronage,  to  send  their  wholesale  price  list  to  you, 
and  you  can  then  give  them  a  list  of  Subordinate 
Granges?" 

For  May  and  June  we  counted  thirty-three  new 
Granges. 

July  commenced  with  our  friends  in  town  being 


^j6  Patrons  of  Hiisbandiy. 

pretty  well  satisfied  the  plans  laid  down  by  ^liss 
Hall  and  myself  would  prove  successful.  I  sug- 
gested that,  as  the  Executive  Committee  had  failed 
to  put  in  an  appearance,  as  a  body,  since  August, 
it  would  be  advisable  to  come  together,  as  I  had 
quite  a  number  of  communications  needing  consid- 
eration by  those  better  versed  in  Masonic  rulings 
than  myself.  Brother  Saunders  coincided  with 
this,  and  suggested  that  the  finances  of  the  Na- 
tional Grange  should  be  looked  after.  We  should, 
by  and  by,  be  called  upon  to  make  a  statement  of 
our  receipts  and  expenditures,  and  he  wanted  to  see 
that  everything  was  all  right.  There  was  work, 
enough  to  do,  and  I  issued  notices  calling  a  meet- 
ing for  July  13th.     In  that  to  Dr.  Trimble  I  said: 

"Doctor,  what  are  any  of  you  really  doing  to  help  build  up 
the  Order?  Simply  nothing.  By  and  by,  when  it  shall  be  a 
power  in  the  land,  then  you  will  all  come  forward  with  a 
flourish  of  trumpets,  claiming  honors  which  not  one  will  justly 
be  entitled  to.  Let  me  assure  you  that  I  have  been  fortunate  in 
enlisting  men  "West  and  South  in  the  Order,  who  are  working 
like  'trojans,'  and  they  will  sooner  or  later  find  out  how  little 
we  are  entitled  to." 

The  '■'■  Utile  country  'paper s^^  in  those  towns  where 
Subordinate  Granges  had  been  organized,  were 
doing  a  great  work  in  building  up  the  Order. 
Some  of  them  were  opposed  to  us,  to  be  sure,  but 


Success  Finally  Assured.  jjy 

all  were  advertising  tlio  Order.  Where  those  papers 
found  readers,  the  people  were  learning  of  our 
existence  as  an  organization.  Some  of  the  editors 
of  agricultural  papers  were  now  writing  us  to 
learn  more  about  the  Order.  Probably  the  great 
majority  never  exercised  so  much  caution  a])out 
taking  hold  of  any  movement,  as  they  did  this,  and 
their  reasons  were  all  of  the  same  character.  "When 
we  opened  our  "Washington  office,  the  correspond- 
ents of  metropolitan  papers  inquired,  "How  did 
you  build  up  so  large  an  organization,  and  this 
being  the  first  we  have  heard  of  it  ?"  Simply  by 
commencing  among  the  people. 

On  July  4th,  the  First  Grange  in  Vermont  was 
organized  by  Jonathan  Lawrence,  with  the  follow- 
ing-named Charter  members: 

Green  Mountain  Grange,  l^o.  1. 

Jonathan  Lawrence,  J.  P.  Lorton, 

E.  L.  IIovEY,  F.  Y.  Powers, 

L.  C.  Parnuam,  C.  Sargant, 

P.  E.  EiCHARDSON,  Joseph  Don, 

H.  Paddoch,  E.  E.  Hovey, 

E.  H.  HovEY,  A.  P.  Lawrence, 

Lydia  J.  Don,  P.  B.  Powers, 
Laura  Lawrence. 


It  M^as  very  agreeable  to  read  the  following  from 

i: 
22 


Oregon 


jj8  Patrofis  of  Hiisbandiy. 

East  Portland,  Oregon,  July  2(f,  1S71. 
O.  H.  Kelley,  Washington,  D.  C: 
Dear  Sir: 

Having  seen  numerous  notices  in  the  newspapers,  rel- 
ative to  the  new  Agricultural  Order,  and  having  long  entertained 
a  favorable  opinion  of  a  move  of  that  kind,  I  address  you  for 
further  information,  with  a  view  of  organizing  a  society  here. 
Yours,  etc.,  a  farmer,  W.  J.  CAMPBELii. 

A  glorious  Fourth  of  July  gave  an  impetus  to 
the  work  iu  Iowa. 

rrom  General  Wilson: 

July  5i7i,  1871. 
Dear  Kellet  : 

I  feel  so  good  over  the  Fourth  of  July  demonstration  of 

the  Patrons  (yesterday)  in  Dallas  County,  I  hardly  know  what 

to  write  3'ou.     There  were   three  other  points  in  that  coujity 

where  there  were  celebrations,  but  I  am  satisfied  ours  was  the 

best  and  largest  number  in  attendance.     We  had  by  count  over 

3,200,   but,  of  course,    not  all  Patrons.     Everything  went  off 

well,  and  the  day  will  long  be  remembered. 

Yours,  W.  D.  W. 

From  "\Yilliani  H.  Baxter: 

San  Francisco,  Cal.,  July  1t\  1871. 
O.  H.  Kelley, — Dear  Sir  : 

In  the  Odd  Fellows'  organ  of  the  State  of  California,  the 
"■  Neto  Age,''^  of  May  20th,  1871,  I  saw  an  article  copied,  or 
extracts  taken  from  the  Ottawa  (111. )  Press,  entitled  Patrons  of 
Husbandry,  which  is  just  the  thing.  I  had  been  studying  and 
talking  over  it  a  long  time,  being  interested  as  a  farmer.  The 
article  alluded  to,  gives  your  address  as  the  proper  person  to 
apply  to  for  all  needful  information  on  the  subject,  and  if  not 


S39 


W.     H.     BAXTER. 


Surci'ss  Finally  uAssurcd.  ?jn 

asking  too  much,  will  you  have  the  kindness  to  give  me  what 
information  you  can,  and,  if  you  have  any,  a  printed  copy  of 
your  Constitution  and  By-Laws,  which  will  enable  me  to  under- 
stand more  clearly  and  completely  the  manner  of  instituting  an 
association  of  this  kind,  with  its  work,  etc.?  I  had  so  far 
matured  my  plana  as  to  have  drawn  up  the  preliminary  papers, 
embodying  my  own  ideas  in  regard  to  the  matter,  setting  forth 
the  objects  and  ends  to  be  attained  by  the  formation  of  such  a 
society,  when.  I  saw  this  notice,  and  now  address  you  for  the 
purpose  as  before  stated.  Hoping  to  hear  from  you  soon,  I 
remain  your  obedient  servant,  W.  H.  Baxter. 

From  I.  H.  Painter: 

Alma,  Harlan  Co.,  Neb,,  July  lilh,  1871. 
O.  H.  Kelley, — Dear  Sir  : 

*  *  *  I  most  respectfully  desire  information  in 
relation  to  the  National  Grange.  Our  citizens  are  anxious  to 
unite  with  anything  almost  that  will  encourage  Agriculture. 
Settlers  from  all  parts  of  the  United  States,  and  many  from 
Europe,  are  coming  into  our  settlement.         *        *        * 

Yours,  etc.,  I.  H.  Painter. 

Illinois  takes  the  field  again : 

Sterling,  III.,  July  11th,  1871. 
O.  H.  Kelley, — Dear  BROTnEu: 

Please  find,  enclosed  a  P.  O.  Order  for  thirty  dollars,  less 
exchange.  The  fees  are  for  Guilford  Hope  Grange,  Winnebago, 
County,  (P.  O.,  Rockford)  ;  and  fur  Rock  River  Grange,  White- 
sides  County,  (P.  O.,  Rock  Falls).  It  is  very  difficulty  to  organ- 
ize just  at  this  time,  on  account  of  the  hurry  in  farm  labors.  I 
organized  in  both  cases  with  less  than  the  regular  number,  but 
thought  it  better  to  do  that  than  not  to  organize  at  all.     I  have 


j^o  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

not  thus  far  covered  expenses.  I  will  try  it  a  while  longer  in 
hope  that  I  will  get  enough  Granges  in  the  State  to  enable  them 
to  organize  a  State  Grange.  J.  Wilkinson. 

From  the  Record  I  copy  as  follows : 

Regular  Meeting  of  Executive  Committee,  Thurs- 
day Evening,  July  13th,  1871. 

Present  at  Secretary's  office,  Brothers  Saunders, 
J.  R.  Thompson,  Grosh,  and  Kelley. 

The  improved  secret  work  of  the  Order,  submitted 
by  Brother  T.  A.  Thompson,  Master  of  the  State 
Grange  of  Minnesota,  was  read  and  approved.  It 
was  agreed  that  the  Committee  will  strongly  recom- 
mend the  National  Grange  to  adopt  the  same,  and 
in  the  meantime  we  desire  Subordinate  Granges 
working  under  State  Charters,  to  thoroughly  test 
the  work. 

The  following  resolutions  were  adopted: 

1.  The  Secretary  of  the  National  Grange  is  hereby  authorized 
to  provide  and  furnish  a  room  for  the  use  of  the  National  Grange, 
the  same  to  be  used  by  him  as  an  office  for  the  general  business 
of  the  Order,  the  reception  of  visitors,  and  the  meetings  of 
the  Executive  Committee,  and  he  shall  be  allowed  twenty-five 
dollars  per  month  to  pay  rent  for  the  same. 

2.  The  business  of  the  Order  demanding,  the  Executive  Com- 
mittee shall  meet  at  its  room  on  the  second  Thursday  of  each 
month,  commencing  with  the  13lh  of  Julj',  (this  meeting),  and 
complete  records  of  its  meetings  shall  be  kept  by  the  Secretary. 

3.  The  Secretary  shall  preserve  extracts  from  all  transient 
papers  received  relative  to  the  Order,  and  keep  on  file  regular 
papers  as  part  of  the  library  of  the  National  Grange.  The  papers 
and  room  to  be  accessible  to  members  of  the  Order  at  all  times. 


Success  Finally  Assured,  j^r 

After  discussing  certain  matters  which  were  order- 
ed not  to  be  recorded,  the  Committee  adjourned. 

0.  II.  K.,  Secretary. 

The  next  day  I  communicated  to  Brother  T.  A. 
Thompson  the  information  reLative  to  the  secret 
work,  and  suggested  that  he  go  to  the  September 
meeting  of  Iowa  State  Grange,  and  there  exemplify 
the  work. 

On  tlie  14tli  of  September  tlie  State  Grange  of 
Iowa  held  a  meeting  at  Cedar  Rapids.  Brother  T. 
A.  Thompson,  Master  of  State  Grange  of  Minnesota, 
visited  them  at  my  suggestion,  and  this,  by  the  way, 
is  the  first  State  Master's  visit  on  record.  I  had 
suggested  this  to  enable  the  Subordinate  Masters  to 
attain  the  new  secret  work.  He  wrote  in  full  rela- 
tive to  this  meeting,  and  closed  by  saying: 

"Not  a  word  of  fault,  or  jar  occurred.  They  have  good  men. 
The  Order  is  in  good  hands  ;  many  new  Granges  will  he  organ- 
ized this  fall  in  Iowa.  Thej'  paid  all  my  expenses,  and  I  am  sat- 
isfied ahundantl}',  and  they  said  all  and  more  than  I  could  have 
asked  in  passing  resolutions." 

That  session  started  the  Order  in  Iowa  on  a  good 
basis,  and  the  results  were  soon  after  visible  in  my 
office. 

Brother  J.  B.  Thompson  left  the  city  for  a  few 
weeks' sojourn  among  "ye  Granges"  of  Vermont, 
and  I  ventured  to  anticipate  several  new  Granges 


j/f.2  Patrons  of  Husbandly, 

tbroiigli  his  influence  in  that  State,  but  was  disap- 
pointed. "With  the  exception  of  Bro.  Curtiss,  none 
of  my  associates  here  ever  organized  a  Grange. 

Brother  Lawrence  wrote  me  from  St.  Johnsbury, 
Vermont,  September  25th,  1871 : 

*'*  *  *  We  expected  instruction  from  Brother  Thomp- 
son in  reference  to  the  Ritual,  but  he  said  you  could  and  would 
give  us  more  information  than  he  could,  when  you  came.'' 

The  following  was  from  I.  H.  Painter : 

?Y,  Harlan  Count 
September  2bth,  1871. 


Alma  City,  Harlan  County,  Neb.,  \ 


O.  H.  Kelley, — Dear  Sir: 

Upon  a  thorough  examination  of  the  papers  you  sent  me, 
I  am  fully  of  the  opinion  the  project  is  just  such  an  one  as  I  have 
often  desired  should  exist.  A  little  incident  occurred  some  time 
ago  that  illustrated  the  importance  of  an  organization  of  Husband- 
men, and  put  me  to  thinking  over  the  subject  with  some  serious- 
ness. I  was  sitting  in  an  office  of  a  man  of  wealth  and  influence, 
and  a  large  land  holder.  Several  farmers  were  present  conversing 
with  him.  My  attention  was  called  to  the  conversation  by  one  of 
the  farmers  asking  him  if  he  was  not  going  to  build  a  fine  house 
on  a  certain  farm  he  named,  and  he  replied  :  "No,  I  shall  locate 
my  family  in  some  city,  where  they  can  have  the  benefit  of  some 
society."  His  family  has  been  residing  in  France  for  some  time, 
and  well  educated.  *  *  *  I  said  :"  Look  at  what 
an  amount  of  good  you  can  accomplish  by  erecting  a  suitable 
mansion,  supplying  it  with  a  library  and  all  useful  appliances,  for 
the  improvement  of  the  mind.  *  *  *  What  an  im- 
petus could  be  given  to  the  whole  neighborhood  for  improvement 
mentally,   morally  and  physically.      Your  wife  and  daughter 


Success  Finally  Assured.  j^j 

would  elevate  in  tone  and  character  all  their  associates,  and  soon 
would  have  refined  society.  The  satisfaction  it  would  alTord  in 
being  instrumental  in  accomplishing  tliis  good  work  would  be 
ample  compensation."  This  little  conversation  gave  me  many 
hours  reflection.  Who  is  to  commence  this  good  work  ?  On  seeing 
your  prospectus  in  a  Virginia  paper,  I  immediately  wrote  you  for 
Information,  and  I  hope  to  see  great  and  glorious  results  arise.  * 
*        *  Yours,  etc.,  I.  H.  Painter. 

"With  October  Miss  Hall  had  sent  out  to  each  Sub- 
ordinate Grange  for  some  information  relative  to 
crops,  machines,  etc.,  and  the  replies  received  gave 
us  much  useful  information  and  very  many  valuable 
suggestions. 

The  reducing  of  fees  for  Deputies,  as  well  as  mem- 
bership fees  and  dues  to  the  ]S"ational  and  State 
Granges,  was  receiving  considerable  attention  in  let- 
ters from  our  regular  correspondents.  "We  sent 
word  to  all  General  Deputies  and  Masters  of  State 
Granges  that  amendments  to  the  Constitution  would 
be  proposed  in  January. 

Brother  Corbett  wrote  me  October  6th,  relative 
to  the  establishment  of  a  general  Grange  Agency  in 
Chicago,  and  this  feature  was  beginning,  with  plans 
for  co-operative  stores,  to  attract  much  attention. 
My  experience  up  to  this  present  time  of  writing, 
prompts  me  to  wish  I  never  had  been  intimately  ac- 
quainted with  one  concern  in  that  peculiar  "arm 
of  the  Order,"  and  if  those  who  have  been  losers 


j^^  Patrons  of  Htisbandiy. 

tlirougli  my  endorsement  will  forgive  my  exuber- 
ance of  confidence,  knowing  my  own  personal  posi- 
tion, they  never  will  be  misled  by  me  in  that  respect 
again.     I  have  been  by  far  the  largest  loser. 

Several  gentlemen  were  taking  quite  an  active  in- 
terest in  the  Order,  in  different  parts  of  Mississippi. 
Col.  R.  D.  Powell,  Capt.  W.  L.  Williams,  and  Dr. 
E.  Fowler,  were  very  regular  correspondents.  Octo- 
ber 7th,  Brother  Williams  wrote : 

"  I  am  receiving  a  great  many  letters  of  inquiry,  and  think  a 
good  many  Granges  will  be  organized  this  fall.  I  have  every- 
thing published  concerning  the  institutit)n  that  I  can  get  hold  of. 
We  had  a  jolly  time  at  our  last  meeting  (festival)  ;  nearly  all  our 
members  who  were  present  exhibited  something  from  their 
farms." 

To  turn  in  another  direction,  here  is  a  letter  from 

Bkooks,  Maine,  October  15<A,  1871. 
O.  H.  Kelley, — Dear  Sir  : 

*  *  *  You  will  confer  a  favor  by  sending  me 
full  information  regarding  manner  of  organizing  Granges.  I 
have  an  idea  that  the  thing  will  take  well  here,  and  doubtless  do 
much  good.  *  *  *  Allow  me  to  wish  you  the  broad- 
est success  in  your  noble  endeavors. 

Respectfully  yours,  J.  TV.  Lang. 

The  same  date  I  received  a  letter  from  Brother 
A.  B.  Smedley,  of  Cresco,  Iowa:  "I  enclose 
papers  and  money  for  Charter  and  books  for  Lime 
Springs."     He  also  gave  a  glowing  account  of  his 


Success  Finally  Assured.  j^5 

own  Grange.  TVo  were  not  favored  with  many 
fault-finding  letters;  hence,  with  the  tide  of  pros- 
perity now  turned  in  our  favor,  we,  at  least,  were 
in  very  good  humor. 

Next  came  a  letter  from  the  present  Master  of 
Louisiana  State  Grange,  II.  W.  L.  Lewis,  dated 

OsYKA,  MiBS.,  July  16<7i,  1871. 
O.  11.  Kelley,— Dear  Sir: 

I  see  frequent  mention  of  the  "Patrons  of  Husbandry," 

as  an  organization  of  farmers  for  mutual  benefit,  etc.     I  wish  to 

know  the  advantages  of  the  Order,  if  any,  and  if  satisfactory,  to 

introduce  it  in  my  section.     I  refer  j'ou  to       *       *       *      I  ap- 

lily  for  such  information  as  you  may  think  proper  to  communicate, 

my  sole  object  being  to  benefit  my  farming  friends.     I  can  give 

your  farther  reference,  if  desired, 

I  am  very  respectfully  yours,  11.  W.  L.  Lewis. 

From  Brother  Baxter : 

San  Francisco,  Cal.,  July  25th,  1871. 
O.  H.  Kelley,— Dear  Sir  : 

On  the  22d  I  received  from  you  two  papers— the  Monthly 
Report  of  the  Department  of  Agriculture  and  circulars  enclosed, 
—on  which  I  discovered  the  name  of  A.  A.  Bayley,  of  Pilot  Hill, 
California,  as  one  of  the  General  Deputies,  to  whom  I  immedi- 
ately addressed  a  communication  for  further  information.  * 

*  *  This  morning  I  received  two  packages  of  papers  and 
circulars,  and  your  communication,  with  blanks,  etc.,  for  which 
accept  my  sincere  thanks.  I  am  exceedingly  glad  to  know  that 
such  an  organization  is  existing,  and  has  made  such  progress.     * 

*  *  I  am  an  Odd  Fellow,  and  familiar  Avilh  its  work  ; 
have  been  one  for  twenty-five  years,  and  anticipate  no  trouble 


j^<5  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

there  ;  and  if  I  can  be  constituted  a  Deputy,  I  shall  be  glad  to 
assume  the  responsibility,  and  will  go  to  work  with  a  Avill.  I 
have  extended  my  letter  to  an  unusual  length  for  a  business  com- 
munication, but  in  accordance  with  your  request  to  write  fully 
and  freely,  (the  object  of  which  is,  no  doubt,  to  get  my  views, 
that  I  take  pleasure  in  giving,  as  well  as  I  can,  at  this  time).  I 
shall  immediately  read  up  the  material  sent  me,  and  take  the 
necessary  steps  to  go  to  work  as  soon  as  I  am  clothed  with  proper 
authority  for  so  doing.        *        *        * 

Your  obedient  servant,  "W.  H.  Baxter. 

July  gave  us  but  six  new  Granges,  in  five  differ- 
ent States,  and  the  new  correspondents  foretold 
plainly  that  more  prosperous  days  were  coming. 

August,  1871,  was  the  last  dull  month  in  our  early 
history.  During  these  four  weeks,  we  once  more 
touched  hard  pan.  We  organized  but  five  new 
Granges. 

Here  is  a  good  place  to  stop  and  take  a  square 
look  at  the  surroundings.  In  the  several  States 
where  the  Order  was  fairly  started,  there  were  men 
in  constant  correspondence  with  me,  whose  letters 
indicated  that  they  had  taken  hold  of  the  work  in 
real  earnest.  The  time  had  come  w^ith  their  people 
when  organization  and  action  was  their  salvation. 
Among  the  many  letters  I  am  now  perusing,  Avrittcn 
in  those  days,  I  find  the  names  of  those  worthy  of 
record  as  the  men  who  were  laybuj  the  fouvdaUon  of 
this  nii!i:htv  Association.     When  I  call  to  mind  the 


Success  Finally  Assured.  j^j 

three  or  four  who  occasionally  nut  at  my  olTice  for 
a  couple  of  hours  in  an  evening,  to  consider  the 
questions  suhniitted  to  us  as  an  "  Executive  Com- 
mittee," I  confess  I  cannot  help  laughing.  Of 
course,  comparisons  are  odious,  and  truths  are  some- 
times unpleasant.  Under  the  circumstances,  I.  will 
continue  extracts  from  letters,  and  find  an  appropri- 
ate place  for  the  names  of  the  real  workers  at  the 
close  of  the  hook.  I  had  already  commenced  writ- 
ing to  some  of  the  Icadino;  ones  relative  to  our  An- 
nual  Meeting  in  January. 

T.  A.  Thompson  wrote  in  reply : 

Plain  VIEW,  Minn.,  August  Wi,  1871. 
Brother  Kellet : 

*        *        *        I  think  you  had  better  give  up  the  idea  of 

my  going  to  Washington  next  January.     I  don't  want  a  dollar 

to  come  out  of  the  fund,  which  I  know  is  all  needed  to  defray 

present  expenses.     You  will  not  be  overburdened  with  funds  for 

some  time  yet.     Our  State  can't  send  me,  and  I  can't  go  at  my 

own  expense  ;  so  I  think  we  had  not  better  contemplate  my 

attendance.     The   Order  will  grow  and  extend  before  another 

January,  and  then  it  will  be  all  right.  T.  A.  T. 

Kentucky  next  unfurls  the  banner,  and  I  record 

Pioneer  Grange,  Xo.  1,  organized  by  R.  S.  Reeves, 

August  10th,  1871,  with  the  following: 

W.  W.  Gill,  E.  W.  Geimes, 

J.  E.  Winston,  E.  Browder, 

T.  E.  Browder,  D.  G.  Wiston, 


j^(?  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

B.  WixsTON,  W.  B,  Browder, 

D.  B.  HucKiNGS,  Miss  Agnes  AViston, 

E.  Beeves,  Mrs.  E.  A.  Wiston, 
W.  S.  Gill,  Miss  L.  F.  Wiston, 
W.  B.  Hughes,  Mrs.  II.  O.  Wiston, 
J.  F.  Gill,  Miss.  J.  B.  Hughes, 
]Sr.  L.  Turner,  Miss  M.  G.  Hughes, 
J.  J.  YiCK,  Miss  M.  B.  Hughes, 
J.  P.  ViCK,  Mrs.  E.  F.  Turner, 
G.  isr.  Gill,  Mrs.  J.  E.  Beeves, 

E.  W.  Hughes,  Miss  Helen  Browder. 

Executive  Committee  Meeting,  August  10th,  1871. 

Present,  Brothers  Saunders,  Thompson  and  Kel- 
ley.  Brother  Grosh  absent  on  account  of  severe 
trouble  with  his  eyes. 

The  matter  of  tlie  appointment  of  Deputies  was 
brought  up  and  considered,  but  no  change  agreed 
upon. 

A  form  for  Dimit  and  Traveling  Cards  was  sug- 
gested by  a  letter  from  Brother  T.  A.  Thompson, 
also  in  one  from  General  Wilson,  and  Brother  J.  E. 
Thompson  was  appointed  to  provide  a  form  for  the 
same. 

It  was  suggested  by  Brother  Saunders,  that  at  our 
next  meeting  we  would  examine  the  financial  state- 
ment. 

Several  communications  from  Deputies  and  Sub- 
ordinate Granges  were  presented,  but,  for  want  of 
time,  were  laid  over  until  the  next  meeting. 

0.  ri.  K.,  Secretary. 


Success  Finally  Assured.  j^q 

We  "founders"  may  as  well  take  a  quiet  smile  riiclit 
here,  for  I  record  a  good  joke  on  our  heavy  resolu- 
tions, by  saying  that  the  next  regular  meeting  of 
this  "Executive  Committee"  was  held jm5^  one  year 
after,  on  the  9th  of  August,  1872! 

October  12th,  we  sent  W.  L.  Williams  his  com- 
mission as  a  General  Deputy  for  Mississippi.  In 
his  reply  he  wrote:  "  We  would  be  delighted  to  see 
you  among  us,  to  give  us  more  light  on  the  subject; 
nothing  else  is  needed  in  the  South." 

Another  letter  from  Ohio,  October  21st:  "We 
have  learned,  through  the  Ohio  Farmer,  that  there 
is  a  ISTational  Association  of  Farmers,  called  Granges. 
I  think  it  just  the  thing  needed."  Thus  they  came — 
ten,  twenty,  thirty,  forty,  sometimes  fifty  letters  a 
day.  Occasionally,  a  humorous  one  like  the  follow- 
ing: 

Pilot  Hill,  Cal.,  October  22d,  1871. 
O.  H.  Kelley  : 

Dear  Sir  and  BiioTnEn : 

It  is  painfully  evident  to  my  mind,  that  so  long  as 

the  Patrons  of  Husbandry  remain  under  my  administration, 

success  will  never  be  attained.     "The  prayers  of  the  wicked 

availeth  not,"  Is  very  applicable  to  my  efforts.     "Discouraged  " 

would  hardly  convey  my  real  feelings.     Had   I  that  unblushing 

modesty,  often  found  in  men  who  wander  from  place  to  place  in 

the  interest  of  some  concern,  determined  to  accomplish  their 

most  sanguine  hopes,  then  I  might  reasonably  expect  to  be 

awarded  the  merit  deserved ;    but  not  being  so  favored,  I  can 


Jj' 


Patrons  of  Husbandry. 


only  make  known  my  inability.  *  *  *  It  requires 
someone  to  go  ahead  with  the  "sink  or  swim"  ever  before 
him,  and  say  to  every  farmer,  "  You  muit,  you  sliall^  you  can't 
back  out,"  and  hang  to  him  till  he  says  "yes."  It  requires 
one  combined  of  all  the  traits  of  angel,  man  and  devil,  and  then 
possibly  a  few  more  Granges  might  have  been  added  to  the 
Order  in  California  before  this.         *        *        * 

Now,  Brother  Kelley,  you  see  my  case  is  a  deplorable  one.  I 
am  sure  you  possess  that  magnanimous  spirit  to  come  to  my 
rescue,  and  relieve  me  of  the  title.  I  have  done  nothing.  Com- 
mission some  one  else  who  will  make  California  respond  to  the 
call  of  a  hundred  Granges.         *        *        * 

By  the  enclosed  letter,  you  will  see  Mr.  Baxter,  of  San  Fran- 
cisco, is  anxious  to  enlist.  Any  one  you  appoint,  I  will  cheer- 
fully assist.  I  remain  yours,  A.  A.   Bayley. 

I  had  determined  to  do  some  active  work  this 
winter,  and  on  the  30th  visited  New  Jersey,  and 
met  Brother  G.  "VY.  Thompson;  thence  to  Con- 
necticut and  Boston.  I  met  Brother  Noyes,  but 
did  not  succeed  in  enhsting  enough  to  make  up  a 
Grange.  I  next  went  up  to  Vermont  and  spent 
three  weeks,  and  back  to  Boston,  where  I  again 
spent  a  few  days,  meeting  with  Brothers  Noyes  and 
IsTeedham.  I  returned  to  Washington  on  the  15th 
of  December. 

"We  then  sent  out  notices  relative  to  the  Annual 
Meeting,  urging  all  those  entitled  to  membership  by 
election  or  appointment,  to  be  present,  on  January 
3d;    if  not  possible,  then  each  one  to  give  views 


Siiccfss  Finally  Assured.  jj/ 

upon  the  subjects  enclosed,  and  lot  me  represent 
them  as  proxy. 

During  my  absence,  Miss  Hall  had  received  and 
answered  the  letters,  filled  all  orders,  and  done  up 
and  sent  twenty  Dispensations  and  Grange  pack- 
ages. Our  Dispensations  then  liad  the  Charter 
members'  names  written  in  full,  requiring  much 
more  time  than  by  Dispensations  now  used.  Our 
facilities  for  doing  the  work  were  far  inferior  to 
what  they  were  a  year  after,  and  inconvenience 
added  to  the  labor. 

Among  the  letters  this  month,  was  one  from  our 
Oregon  correspondent,  in  which  he  said:  "Though 
I  have  not  made  much  progress  in  getting  up  a 
Grange,  I  have  not  given  up." 

General  Wilson  wrote : 

Des  Moines,  Iowa,  November  25t7i,  1871. 
My  Dear  Kelley  : 

You  are  doing  a  good  work  in  New  England,  and  the 
publication  of  your  letters  in  the  West  is  doing  good.  I  am 
receiving  letters  from  manufacturers  of  Agricultural  machinery, 
offering  implements  from  twenty  to  fifty  per  cent,  below  the 
retail  price.  We  can  save  by  co-operation,  from  three  to  five 
per  cent,  on  wheat  sales,  and  half  a  cent  per  pound  on  pork. 
Can  we  not  make  a  contract  to  sell  smoked  and  barrelled  meats 
to  the  Granges  in  the  East  ?  I  will  at  once  see  the  Superintend- 
ent of  one  of  our  roads  about  shipments  of  corn  and  flour  direct, 
and  advise  any  one  whose  address  you  give  me  in  regard  to  the 
matter.        *        *        *  ^m.  Duane  Wilson. 


35^  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

The  following  from  the  Master  of  the  State 
Grange  of  Iowa,  Dudley  W.  Adams,  was  in  some 
respects  one  of  the  best  letters  that  ever  came  to  our 
office.  In  my  own  family,  we  considered  the  Order 
as  fairly  in  motion,  and  looked  forward  with  much 
pleasure  to  the  time  of  his  arrival. 

Waukon,  Iowa,  November  21th,  1871. 
Brother  Kelley  : 

*  *  *  I  would  like  to  have  the  meeting  of  the 
National  Grange  come  on  the  first  week  in  January,  as  at  that 
time  I  shall  be  able  to  be  there  ;  but  the  next  two  weeks  after- 
wards it  will  be  necessary  for  me  to  be  in  my  own  State. 

It  is  absolute  that  there  should  be  a  regular  meeting  of  the 
National  Grange,  and  that  there  should  be  some  attendance  of 
members,  for  there  is  getting  to  be  a  feeling,  rapidly  growing 
stronger,  that  that  institution  is  a  myth,  and  there  must  be  a 
meeting,  and  a  full  and  fair  exhibit  of  the  work  of  the  last  year. 
*  *  *  No  report  has  ever  been  made  public,  and  there 
is  no  means  of  knowing  what  is  ever  done  with  the  money  sent 
so  freely  to  the  National  Grange.  As  a  brother  who  has  the 
organization  at  heart,  I  urge  the  absolute  necessity  of  this 
course,  as  no  other  can  maintain  the  confidence  of  the  people, 
and  no  other  should. 

My  State   Grange  instructed   me  to  go  to   "Washington,   to 
attend  the  next  meeting,  and  I  agreed  to  do  so.         *        *        * 

Yours  fraternally,        D.  W.  Adams. 

There  was  one  objection  to  publishing  any  official 
statement,  which  was  this :  We  had  published  the 
Order  so  long  as  a  great  and  growing  institution, 
the  new  members  supposed  we  had  an  "immense 


Success  Filially  Assiitrd. 


jJ)j> 


amount  of  money,"  as  well  as  a  large  paying  mem- 
bership; at  this  time,  to  expose  our  weakness, 
would  have  been  the  height  of  folly.  But  now, 
that  we  have  succeeded,  we  can  take  a  deg-ree  of 
pride  in  showing  on  what  a  small  capital  we  were 
at  that  time  running.  The  whole  support  of  the 
National  branch  depended  upon  our  daily  receipts, 
as  will  be  shown  in  my  statement  in  this  book. 

Every  one  who  wrote  us  expected  a  cheering 
answer;  every  application  for  a  new  Grange  was 
supposed  to  be  a  companion  to  twenty  others,  and 
there  could  be  nothing  more  discouraging  than  to 
write  a  Deputy  he  had  sent  the  only  application 
received  for  the  past  week.  T.  A.  Thompson  wrote 
me  in  one  of  his  letters,  that  he  noticed  the  last 
Grange  he  organized  was  the  number  following  his 
previous  one,  and  said:  "I  am  surprised  at  this, 
for  I  thought  there  were  more  Deputies  at  work, 
and  more  Granges  being  organized."  It  discour- 
aged him.  In  regard  to  a  full  attendance  at  our 
Annual  Meeting,  none  desired  it  more  than  m}'- 
self,  with  the  exception  of  my  own  family.  No  one 
else  here  was  at  all  anxious  to  have  any  come  in 
those  days,  but  the  fact  that  I  sent  invitations  each 
time,  is  shown  by  the  answers  received.  I  was 
working  to  make  the  National  Grange  a  reality, 
and  accoviplished  (hat  object  a  year  later. 
23 


J5^  Patrons  of  Htisbandiy. 

December. 
From  "W.  L.  Williams : 

RiENZi,  Miss.,  December  Atli,  1871. 
Brother  Kelley : 

I  am  doing  now  everything  I  can  to  wake  up  the  South- 
ern people  to  their  interest.  Am  just  informed  by  a  friend 
at  Jaclison  that  some  Agricultural  journal  in  Tennessee  had 
published  an  article  to  the  effect  that  money  had  been  sent  to 
"Washington,  and  had  never  been  heard  from.  I  have  sent  for 
a  copy  of  the  number  containing  the  article,  which  1  will  answer 
as  soon  as  I  can  hear  from  you. 

Our  people  are  dreadfully  afraid  of  humbugs,  and  such  arti- 
cles as  mentioned  above,  make  them  very  suspicious.  We  need 
light  here  on  the  subject,  and  I,  being  a  new  member,  am  not 
sufficiently  posted.  I  asked  Brother  Saunders  to  give  me  a  lec- 
ture on  the  subject,  setting  forth  explicitly  and  at  length  the 
objects  and  main  features  of  the  Order,  but  he  does  not  reply. 
If  I  had  such,  I  know  I  could  lay  the  matter  before  the  people 
in  a  better  light.  Can  you  not  succeed  in  getting  it  for  me  ?  * 
*        *        *  Yours  respectfully,  W.  L.  Williams. 

Ellis  Sergeant,  of  Carthage,  Jasper  County,  Mis- 
souri, wrote  December  5tli,  that  he  had  received 
Constitutions  and  circulars,  and  was  anxious  to 
establish  the  Order  in  his  county. 

Colonel  Powell,  of  Columbus,  Mississippi,  re- 
ported Aberdeen  Grange  as  organized  on  the  15th, 
and  Colonel  Jacques  wrote  me  from 

Charleston,  Decemler  2\st,  1871. 
Brother  Kelley  : 

I  desire  to  nominate  for  a  Special  Deputj',  with  authority 

to  work  in  any  part  of  South  Carolina,  Colonel  D.  Wyatt  Aiken, 


Sifcrcss  Finally  Assured.  jjj- 

of  Cokosbury,  Abbeville  County.  Colonel  Aiken  is  a  good 
writer  and  speaker,  as  well  as  an  excellent  practical  planter,  and 
stands  at  the  head  of  the  progressive  new  school  Agriculturists 
of  the  State.  He  is  Secretary  and  Treasurer  of  the  State  Agri- 
cultural Society,  and  no  man  among  us  exercises  a  greater  influ- 
ence. He  is  a  good  man  and  true,  and  has  expressed  to  me  a 
willingness  to  work  for  the  Order,  as  opportunity  may  permit.  * 
*        *        *  Fraternally  yours,  D.  II.  Jacques. 

Colonel  Powell  wrote: 

CoLTjMBUs,  Miss.,  December  27i7i,  1871. 
*  *  *  I  am  fully  satisfied  in  my  mind  that  this 
movement  is  the  only  thing  to  save  the  South,  and  bring  us 
together  in  friendship  and  love.  May  God  help  us  on  in  this 
good  work  !  I  am  about  seventy-five  years  old,  and  can  do  but 
little,  but  am  a  "Patron  of  Husbandry  "  while  life  lasts. 

Yours  fraternally,  R.  D.  Powell. 

December  26tli,  we  issued  the  First  Dispensation 
FOR  I^EW  Jersey,  being  for  Homestead  Grange, 
organized  by  myself  with  the  fcllowing-naiucd 
members : 

G.  W.  TiiorpsoK,  Ellinor  Pennyka, 

Sarah  Thompson,  Kev.  C.  Wilson, 

Edward  Thompson,  Mrs.  E.  Wilson, 

Cath'e  W.  Thompson,  Zenal  Henderson, 

Samuel  R.  Thompson,  H.  A,  Kelsay, 

Mortimer  Whitehead,  El.   Gite, 

Mary  Whitehead,  Dr.  Geo.  R.  Drew, 

J.  H.  Pennyea,  Wm.  Russloay, 

Sarah  Thompson,  P.   Benoit. 


j^6  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

In  correspondence  with  parties,  it  was  our  custom 
to  solicit  the  Post  Office  address  of  any  persons 
th^y  desired  us  to  send  circulars  to,  and  in  tliis  way 
we  were  enahlcd  to  scatter  our  tracts  and  other 
printed  matter  to  advantage.  I  then  and  now  be- 
lieve in  advertising. 

The  year  closed  with  the  following  from  Brother 

Allen : 

Allenton,  Mo.,  December  2M,  1871. 
Dear  Brother  Kelley  : 

Your  welcome  favor  of  15th  instant  received.  It  will  not 
be  possible  for  me  to  get  to  Washington  to  the  National  Grange. 
Of  course  you  have  authority  to  represent  us,  and  many  thanks 
for  so  doing.  So  far,  it  has  seemed  up  hill  business  to  get  the 
Order  started  in  our  State.  You  may  think  we  have  not  tried 
much.  Well,  this  is  too  true  in  some  respects  ;  but  I  think 
Brother  Muir  and  myself  have  done  about  all  we  could  under 
the  circumstances,  and  we  still  hope  the  fruit  will  yet  appear.  * 
*        *        *  Yours  fraternally,  T.  R.  Allen. 

Taking  all  things  into  consideration,  the  close  of 
this  year  was  rather  cheerful.  "We  counted  one 
hundred  and  twenty-three  new  Granges  paid  for, 
against  thirty-eight  for  the  year  previous,  and  a 
much  improved  force  of  Deputies  at  M^ork.  The 
following  is  the  amount  of  monies  received  for  the 
year: 


356 


T.    R.    ALLEN. 


Success  Finally  Assund.  jjj 

Eeceipts  of  1871. 

January Fees  for  Ave  Dispensations  ®  $15  00 $  7".  00 

♦Cash  advanced  by  O.  H.  K 10  ft5 

February Fees  for  fifteen  Dispensations ijj;")  00 

"  one  »  10  00 

Deputy's  documents  (sold  to  Deputy) 4  20 

Cash  borrowed  of  Tliomas  B.  Bryan 181  OO 

March Fees  for  thirteen  Dispensations Kj.j  00 

Balance  for  one  in  February 5  00 

Deputy's  documents 5  OO 

State  dues  from  Stockton,  Tennessee 125 

Manuals  sold 3  23 

April Fees  for  six  Dispensations '  90  00 

Manuals  sold 7  20 

May Fees  for  sixteen  Dispensations 2-10  00 

Manuals  and  songs , 12  40 

Deputy's  documents 5  00 

June Fees  for  twelve  Dispensations 180  00 

Manuals  sold GO 

July Fees  for  six  Dispensations 90  00 

Manuals  sold 2  50 

August Fees  for  five  Dispensations 75  00 

Deputy's  documents 5  00 

September...Fees  for  five  Dispensations 75  00 

"  two  "  @  $14  90 29  80 

D.  S.  Curtiss— cash  returned 10  00 

October Fees  for  ten  Dispensations loO  00 

From  W.  Saunders  (Fee  of  Stockton  Grange,  Tenn.)    15  00 

November.. .Fees  for  fourteen  Dispensations 210  00 

December.. ..Fees  for  eleven  Dispensations 165  00 

"  one  "  14  75 

"  one  "  13  00 

Manuals  sold 3  00 

Deputy's  fees  received  by  O.  H.  K.,  while  organiz- 
ing in  New  England 51  50 

*  I  was  under  the  necessity  of  obtaining  a  loan  of  §150  this  mouth, 
on  private  account. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

VICTORY  THROUGH  PERSEVERANCE. 

'EW-YEAR  of  1872  opened  gloriously  with  a 
bright  sun,  and  on  the  second  day  Brother 
Dudley  W.  Adams  arrived  to  attend  the  Annual 
Session,  which  was  to  convene  on  the  third. 

Answers  to  the  letters  of  invitation  had  been  re- 
ceived from  T.  A.  Thompson,  Minnesota;  W.  W. 
Corbett,  Illinois;  T.  R  Allen,  Missouri;  D.  II. 
Jacques,  South  Carolina;  J.  Brinton  Smith,  North 
Carolina;  Wm.  Muir,  Missouri;  Sam.  E.  Adams, 
Colonel  D.  A.  Robertson  and  Wm.  Paist,  Minne- 
sota; R.  D.  Powell  and  "Wm.  L.  Williams,  Missis- 
sippi; I.  J.  Hoile,  Wisconsin;  II.  D.  Scott,  Indiana; 
Geo.  D.  Hinckley,  New  York,  and  Wm.  Buane 
Wilson,  Iowa:  regretting  their  inability  to  attend, 
but  giving  suggestions  for  consideration.  Brother 
D.  W.  Adams  spent  his  first  day  with  us  looking  over 
the  records,  and  making  himself  familiar  with  our 
office  work.  The  next  day  we  called  upon  Brother 
Saunders,  and  in  the  afternoon  commenced 

358 


Victory  TJirojigJi  Perseverance.  j^q 

The  Annual  Session   of  the  N'ational  Grange, 
"Washington,  .1).  C,  January  3d,  1872. 

Present,  AVm.   Saunders,   1).  W.  Adams,   J.   R. 
Thompson,  D.  S.  Curtiss,  and  O!  II.  Kcllcy. 
The  Secretary  presented  the  following  report: 

Worthy  Master  and  Patrons  : 

Another  year  has  gone,  and  again  we  meet  to  counsel  for 
the  present  and  future.  It  is  not  worth  while  to  give  a  sketch  of 
the  manj'  and  great  obstacles  and  hard  labor  that  have  thus  far  at- 
tended the  introduction  of  this  Order,  but  a  few  items  may  be 
acceptable. 

In  February,  1868,  there  was  but  one  Subordinate  Grange  in 
the  United  States  ;  this  I  left  in  good  working  order  in  April  of 
that  j-ear.  On  my  return  the  following  year,  I  reported  ten  Sub- 
ordinates and  one  State  Grange  for  the  year's  work.  In  18G9, 
there  were  organized  thirtj'-nine  Subordinates  and  one  State 
Grange.  In  1870,  there  were  organized  thirty-eight  Subordinates 
and  one  State  Grange  ;  and  in  1871,  there  have  been  one  hundred 
and  thirty  Subordinates  organized,  though  not  all  paid  for. 

With  this  ratio  of  increase  we  may  look  for  good  results  the 
present  year.  But  this  all  requires  work.  To  satisfy  any  person 
of  the  amount  of  labor  necessary  to  mtroduce  such  an  organiza- 
tion, let  him  start  out  before  the  public,  a  stranger,  without  means 
or  reputation,  and  with  a  plan  of  an  organization  never  before 
heard  of,  and  try  to  get  the  people  to  rally  to  his  standard.  A 
few  months  will  be  sufficient  to  convince  you  that  begging  the 
encouragement  of  others,  and  even  begging  one's  most  intimate 
associates  to  attend  special  meetings,  is  an  up-hill  business.  But 
the  Order  is  sure  to  succeed  !  We  already  have  Granges  in  thirteen 
States,  and  clubs  ready  for  Dispensations  to  be  forwarded  in  four 
others.  The  State  Grange  of  Indiana  will  probably  be  organized 
about  the  20th  of  the  present  month,  and  about  the  same  time  the 
State  Grange  of  Illinois  will  be  reorganized.  By  the  first  of  Febru- 
ary, the  State  Grange  of  Mississippi  will  be  ready  for  organiza- 
tion, and  it  is  my  intention  of  visiting  all,  and  set  them  in 
operation.  We  also  have  at  this  time  a  Deputy  working  in 
Canada,  where  he  anticipates  success. 


J 


60  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 


I  desire  to  offer  a  few  suggestions  relative  to  ]aws,  viz  :  Whcro 
Subordinate  Granges  fail  to  make  quarterly  reports,  and  pays  dues 
to  either  State  or  National  Granges  within  thirty  days  after  the 
close  of  a  quarter,  and  where  State  Granges  are  also  delinquent, 
tliej^  shall  be  cut  off  froiji  all  communication  with  the  National 
Grange,  and  be  deprived  of  all  benefits  that  may  accrue,  until 
arrearages  are  paid.  It  may  be  well  to  withhold  their  Charters. 
All  the  fees  from  Dispensations,  as  yet,  have  not  been  sufficient  to 
defray  the  expenses  of  introducing  the  Order,  and  as  it  grows  the 
expenses  will  increase  ;  hence,  we  must  collect  the  dues,  that  we 
may  lay  by  something  for  a  reserved  fund.  It  is  necessary  that 
we  compile  a  code  of  laws  for  the  National  Grange.  Several 
propositions  for  amendments  to  the  Constitution  have  been  made, 
and  I  have  corresponded  with  all  those  Avho,  as  General  Deputies 
and  Masters  of  State  Granges,  are  entitled  to  voice  and  vote  in 
this  body,  but  the  general  opinion  is  that  the  Constitution  should 
not  be  tampered  with.  Make  few  alterations,  and  rely  on  consti- 
tutional law  to  meet  cases  continually  arising,  until  the  Order 
gets  some  stability. 

In  examining  the  work  that  has  been  done  by  Subordinate 
Granges,  we  find  that  many  of  them  have  reaped  large  benefits  in 
their  dealings  ;  in  many  cases  the  members  receiving  discounts 
in  a  single  season,  amounting  to  ten  or  even  twenty  times  the  cost 
of  membership,  while  equally  as  large  benefits  are  attainable  in 
the  future.  This  pecuniary  benefit  is  a  consideration  in  joining 
the  Order,  and  should  be  one  inducement  to  promptness  in  the 
payment  of  dues. 

Until  the  present  time,  the  growth  of  the  Order  has  been  slow, 
for  the  want  of  funds  and  plenty  of  good  Deputies.  Some  of  the 
oldest  Granges  have  become  dormant,  because  the  members  had 
tired  of  waiting  to  derive  the  promised  advantages,  but  they  will 
revive,  now  that  the  Order  is  increasing  in  other  States,  and  they 
see  an  opportunity  to  co-operate. 

A  system  of  semi-monthly  reports,  relative  to  crops,  stock,  and 
pnces,  should  be  established,  which  can  be  made  of  great  value 
to  each  Granfre  as  soon  as  thej^  all  become  prompt  in  making 
reports  ;  but  I  rerret  to  say,  there  has  been  such  a  lack  of  atten- 
tion to  circulars  already  sent  out,  I  have  had  no  inducement  to 
encourage  this  work. 


Victivy  Through  Perseverance.  :;6i 


J' 


The  educatioiiul  and  social  filatures  of  our  Order  oficr  induce- 
ment to  some  to  join,  but  tlio  majority  dcsiro  pecuniary  Ix'ucfila 
— advantages  in  iJurchase  of  machinery,  and  sales  of  produce. 
To  bring  all  the  Granges  into  direct  communication,  and  to 
devise  a  system  of  co-operation,  devolves  upon  the  National 
Grange.  But  until  its  membership  is  much  increased,  we  must 
Avait  patiently  the  appearance  of  our  new  Moses,  who  is  to  pre- 
sent the  coveted  plan. 

There  is  one  important  matter  in  which  Deputies  arc  interested, 
viz  :  Shall  the  Secretary  of  the  National  Grange  furnish  Depu- 
ties with  Rituals  and  material  free  of  cost?  In  the  State  of  Iowa, 
Deputies  receive  their  traveling  expenses  and  five  dollars  for  ser- 
vices. The  pay  is  hardly  an  inducement  for  any  man  to  give  his 
attention  to  the  work,  and  it  seems  to  be  out  of  place  to  require 
them  to  buy  their  books.  They  have  the  advantage,  however,  of 
the  rapid  growth  of  the  Order  in  that  State,  and  its  popularity  to 
assist  them  ;  Avliile  General  and  Special  Deputies  of  the  National 
Grange  are  required  to  go  into  localities  where  the  Order  is  un- 
known,  and  commence  to  build  at  the  foundation.  I  suggest  to 
you  that  all  Deputies  be  supplied  with  Rituals  as  well  as  blanks,  at 
the  expense  of  the  National  Grange,  but  only  those  Deputies  who 
will  agree  to  work  shall  receive  them.  Regalia  and  jewels  they 
"will  of  course  provide  at  their  own  expense. 

In  regard  to  Rituals  and  Song  books,  and  in  fact  all  blanks 
needed  by  the  National  Grange,  I  wish  to  saj^  I  can  make 
arrangements  to  furnish  these  to  the  National  Grange  as  they  may 
be  wanted  hereafter,  so  that  this  branch  of  the  Order  will  not 
assume  any  responsibility  for  the  publication. 

This  arrangement  will  prevent  our  incurring  debts  for  printing 
in  that  quarter,  while  we  are  young.  It  has  been  my  aim  not 
to  order  at  any  time  more  copies  of  blanks  or  other  matter,  than 
actual  circumstances  required,  and  it  is  a  satisfaction  for  me  to 
say  we  have  no  waste  material  on  hand.  Nothing  as  yet  has 
gone  into  the  -waste  basket,  even  of  the  first  edition  of  our 
Jlauual,  which  was  as  shabby  as  anything  could  be.  The 
edition  of  one  thousand  copies  was  all  used.  Of  the  second 
edition  but  three  copies  remain,  and  of  the  third,  every  copy 
will  be  disposed  of  before  the  fourth  -will  be  received  from  the, 
binder. 


^^„ 


Patrons  of  Husbandry. 


As  the  office  of  Treasurer  was  made  vacant  by  the  resignation 
of  Brother  Ireland,  at  our  last  session,  I  suggest  the  vacancy  be 
filled  at  this  meeting,  and  to  facilitate  business,  it  is  advisable  he 
be  a  resident  of  this  city,  so  that  our  accounts  may  be  squared  at 
least  once  a  month,  and  it  would  be  still  better  if  this  were  done 
weekly,  and  at  the  office  of  the  Grange. 

Semi-monthly  meetings  of  the  Executive  Committee  should 
be  held  regularly,  as  the  increase  of  business  renders  this  neces- 
sary. It  may  be  advisable  to  allow  them  per  diem  for  their 
services. 

At  this  session  we  welcome  the  first  new  member  of  the 
National  Grange  here  by  virtue  of  his  office,  as  the  Master  of  a 
State  Grange,  Brother  D.  "W.  Adams,  of  Iowa.  At  our  next 
session,  let  us  hope  at  least  half  the  States  in  our  Union  may 
be  represented. 

In  conclusion,  we  see  what  the  Order  is  to-day.  Its  future 
depends  upon  our  action.  Though  we  are  few  in  numbers,  we 
can  exert  our  influence.  For  my  own  part,  having  been  left  by 
you  to  labor  as  I  have  thought  best,  I  might  almost  say  "solitary 
and  alone,"  yet  all  will  acknoM'ledge  my  faith  in  the  ultimate 
success  of  the  Order.  If  I  have  made  mistakes  at  times,  none  of 
them  have  been  serious  or  irreparable. 

0.  H.  Kelley,   Secretary. 

The  Grange,  after  a  general  interchange  of  views, 
commenced  work,  and  made  the  following  laws  : 

Secret  Work.— After  a  State  Grange  has  chosen  its  perma- 
nent officers,  the  Masters  shall  be  furnished  with  a  copy  of  the 
work,  as  it  is  in  the  office  of  the  National  Grange. 

Charters. — No  Charters  shall  be  issued  to  any  Grange  until 
all  arrears  are  paid. 

Books  to  Deputies.— "Where  Deputies  appointed  by  Masters 
of  State  Granges  are  working,  they  may  receive  all  necessary 
documents  from  the  National  Grange  at  cost  price. 

Dues  to  the  National  Grange  shall  commence  as  soon  as  a 
Grange  is  organized,  and  dues  to  the  State  Grange  as  soon  as  the 
State  Grange  is  organized,  and  no  Charter  shall  issue  until  such 
dues  arc  paid. 


Victory  TlirougJi  Perseverance.  j6j 

QuAKTERS  shall  commence  with  January,  April,  July  and 
October  of  each  year. 

Amendment  to  the  Constitution. — Due  notice  of  six 
months  having  been  given,  as  required,  and  all  entitled  to 
votes  in  the  National  Grange,  not  in  attendance,  having  ox- 
pressed  their  views  relative  to  the  proposed  amendments,  it  was, 
after  some  discussion,  unanimously  agreed  to  amend  Section  V, 
Article  7,  by  striking  out  the  following  words :  "  Ten  cents  for 
each  degree  conferred  on  males,  five  cents  on  each  female, 
during  the  quarter,  and,"  so  that  the  section  shall  read :  The 
Treasurer  of  each  State  Grange  shall  pay  to  the  Treasurer  of  the 
National  Grange,  in  quarterly  instalments,  the  annual  dues  of 
ten  cents  for  each  member  in  his  State. 

Organization  of  State  Granges. — The  first  organization  of 
a  State  Grange  shall  be  temporary.  Not  sooner  than  six  months, 
nor  later  than  twelve  months,  they  shall  make  a  code  of  by-laws, 
not  in  conflict  with  the  Constitution  of  the  Order,  on  the  adop- 
tion of  which,  the  organization  shall  become  permanent,  and 
permanent  officers  be  elected. 

The  Treasurer,  Brother  Ireland,  at  the  last  session 
of  the  National  Grange,  having  tendered  his  resig- 
nation, the  office  was  declared  vacant,  and  Brother 
J.  R.  Thompson  elected  to  fill  it  for  the  unexpired 
term.  This  made  a  vacancy  in  the  office  of  Lec- 
turer, and  Brother  D.  "W.  Adams  was  thereupon 
elected  Lecturer. 

It  was  decided  that  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
Treasurer  and  Secretary  to  examine  their  accounts  at 
the  office  of  the  ISTational  Grange  once  each  month, 
and  balance  the  same,  so  that  the  financial  aftairs 
may  be  known  at  any  time,  and  their  books  shall 
be  accessible  to  members  of  the  National  Grange. 

At  10.30  P.  M.,  closed  until  1  P.  M.,  January 
4th,  at  Brother  Saunders'  office. 


J> 


6^  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 


January  4tii,  1872. 

The  ISTational  Grange  opened  witli  the  following 
persons  present:  Saunders,  Adams,  J.  E.  Thomp- 
son, Grosh,  and  Kelley.  The  following  resolution 
was  adopted: 

By-Laws  for  Subordinate  Granges. — Resolved,  That  the 
Executive  Committee  prepare  a  simple  form  of  By-Laws  for  the 
use  of  Subordinate  Granges,  as  a  guide,  and  the  same  to  be  fur- 
nished them  when  organized. 

The  Grange  next  passed  the  following  laws: 

General  Deputies. — One  General  Deputy  for  each  State  may 
be  appointed  by  the  Master  of  the  National  Grange.  Such  Dep- 
uties to  be  admitted  as  members  of  the  Council. 

Delinquents. — Any  Grange  working  under  a  Charter,  that 
shall  fail  to  pay  its  dues  to  a  State  Grange  for  two  quarters,  and 
within  ten  days  after  the  same  shall  be  due,  shall  be  considered 
suspended  and  debarred  of  communication  with  the  State  Grange, 
and  so  reported  to  the  National  Grange,  and  if  three  quarters 
without  payment,  its  Charter  shall  be  forfeited  and  that  Grange 
be  struck  from  the  books  of  both  National  and  State  Granges. 

Limit  op  Time  after  Black-balling. — Any  person  who 
may  be  black  balled,  may  apply  again  at  any  subsequent  meeting, 
and  be  disposed  of  as  an  original  applicant. 

The  following  laws,  introduced  by  Brother  D. 
"VY.  Adams,  elicited  considerable  discussion,  and 
were  passed: 

Mileage. — Each  State  and  Territorial  Grange  shall  be  entitled 
to  send  one  representative,  who  shall  be  a  Master  or  Past  Master 
thereof,  to  all  the  meetings  of  the  National  Grange,  and  he  shall 
receive  mileage  at  the  rate  of  four  cents  per  mile,  both  ways, 
computed  by  the  nearest  practical  route,  to  be  paid  as  follows : 
The  Master  and  Secretary  of  the  National  Grange  shall  give  such 
representative  an  order  for  the  amount  on  the  Treasurer  of  the 
State  Grange  which  he  represents,  and  this  order  shall  be  re- 


Victoiy  Through  Perseverance.  j6^ 

ceivcd  by  the  National  Grange  in  payment  of  dues;  Provided, 
That  in  no  case  shall  such  order  be  given  for  a  sum  greater  than 
the  entire  dues  of  the  quarter  during  which  said  annual  meeting 
is  held.  This  article  shall  not  prohibit  the  attendance  of  addi- 
tional members,  without  expense  to  the  National  Grange.  This 
law  to  go  into  effect  at  the  next  Annual  Meeting  of  the  National 
Grange,  in  1873. 

The  following  decisions  were  then  approved: 

Officers  of  State  Granges,  at  the  first  installation,  must  be  duly 
installed  by  a  General  Deputy  of  the  National  Grange,  before 
they  can  enter  upon  their  respective  duties. 

Dispensations  granted  to  Subordinate  Granges,  on  their  organ- 
ization, are  considered  as  preliminary  Charters.  Granges  work 
under  these  until  familiar  with  the  Ritual,  when  they  are  to 
choose  permanent  officers  by  ballot.  These  must  be  installed 
either  by  a  Deputy,  or  a  member  of  the  State  Grange. 

Masters  of  Subordinate  Granges,  who  may  be  temporarily 
chosen  at  the  organization,  are,  by  courtesy,  admitted  to  the 
rank  of  Past- Masters  when  permanent  officers  are  chosen  ;  after 
which  a  Master  must  serve  a  full  term  to  become  a  Past  Master. 

The  Jewels  for  Subordinate  Granges  having  been  adopted, 
each  Master  of  a  Subordinate  Grange  must  wear  the  emblem  of 
his  rank,  when  in  attendance  at  a  State  Grange. 

General  Deputies  at  Large  have  authority  to  organize  Subor- 
dinate Granges,  whenever  the  interests  of  the  Order  require  it, 
but  in  States  having  State  Granges,  they  shall  first  obtain  the 
consent  of  the  Master  of  the  same. 

Deputies  appointed  by  the  National  Grange  to  organize  Subor- 
dinate Granges  where  no  State  Grange  exists,  shall  be  entitled  to 
membership  in  the  State  Grange  when  organized. 

Masters  of  State  Granges,  as  soon  as  the  same  shall  be  organ- 
ized, shall  immediately  district  the  same,  appointing  a  suitable 
person  as  District  Deputy  in  each  district  or  county,  for  the 
purpose  of  extending  the  Order  and  supervise  the  work  of  the 
same. 


J> 


66  Patrons  of  Husbandty. 


Masters  of  State  and  Subordinate  Granges  may,  with  the  con- 
sent of  their  Granges,  authorize  Masters  of  the  same  grade,  or 
General  Deputies,  to  represent  them  in  National  or  State  Granges, 
when  it  is  not  possible  for  them  to  attend,  and  such  proxies  shall 
vote  for  such  Granges  they  represent. 

Our  session  adjourned  on  the  afternoon  of  the  4th. 

Brother  Adams  assured  us  the  changes  made  in 
our  laws,  at  his  suggestion,  would  double  our  mem- 
bership in  his  State.  I  gave  him  a  statement  of  the 
finances,  copied  from  my  books,  that  he  might  show 
it  to  interested  parties,  but  not  for  publication. 
The  fact  of  no  more  members  being  present  did  not 
discourage  him.  The  communications  from  absen- 
tees were  satisfactory.  There  was  no  probability  of 
man}^  ever  coming,  if  they  had  to  travel  at  their 
own  expense.  Either  the  State  or  N"ational  Grange 
must  pay  the  bills  of  those  elected  to  look  after 
the  interests  of  the  Order,  and  this  mileage  law 
would  secure  that.  It  was  to  me  a  great  satisfac- 
tion to  have  Brother  Adams  see  the  work  just  as  it 
was,  and  the  many  obstacles  we  were  struggling 
with. 

Our  correspondents  in  Nebraska  reported  several 
clubs  ready  for  organization.  As  far  back  as 
August  11th,  a  letter  from  E.  H.  Noxon,  reported, 
"AVe  have  effected  an  organization,  the  first,  I 
think,  in  the  State."  But  the  first  regular  applica- 
tion, accompanied  by  the  fee,  was  as  follows: 


Vicioiy  Through  Perseverance,  j6y 

Haklan  County  Grange,  No.  1,  Nebraska — Organizul 
January  Isf,  1872,  by  I.  H.  Painter. 
M.  R.  Miller,  I.  H.  Painter, 

A.  C.  RcBBiNS,  Peter  Louderville, 

George  Gehley,  Mary  Gould, 

ThOS.    SllEFFREY,  MrS.    II.    K.    PAINTER, 

James  Richmond,  Mrs.  James  Richmond, 

Warren  Fletcher,        Wm.  Gaslin,  Jr., 
Squire  Gullett. 

The  second  is  recorded  as  Groveland,  Number  2, 
organized  February  9tb,  by  General  Wilson ;  E.  II. 
Noxon,  Master. 

The  honors  of  the  first  work  in  Nebraska  belong 
to  Brothers  Painter  and  E,  H.  Noxon.  During 
February,  General  Wilson  visited  that  State,  and 
gave  the  members  much  encouragement.  Among 
my  letters,  I  find  one  from  a  friend,  who  wrote 
January  4th: 

*'  The  greatest  danger  I  see  now  for  the  Patrons,  is  the  putting 
forward  of  a  spirit  to  ignore  experience,  and  run  everything 
without  cost.  This  will  prove  a  costly  mistake.  You  must 
have  some  experienced  business  men  in  every  county  for  advi- 
sers ;  and  you  cannot  keep  up  a  secret  society  with  cheap  para- 
phernalia ;  don't  attempt  it.  Have  halls  fitted  up  like  parlors, 
where  our  wives  and  daughters  will  enjoy  a  meeting.  Spend 
some  money  to  excite  curiosity,  and  thus  increase  your  treasury." 

E.  V.  Sykes,  of  Aberdeen  Grange,  Mississippi, 
wrote  me,  under  date  of  Jaimary  4th,  1872- 


j68  Patrons  of  Husbandly. 

I  send  you  list  of  officers,  as  requested  by  Col.  R.  D.  Powell, 
who  lately  organized  us.  *  *  *  I  think  the  "Patrons 
of  Plusbandry  "  is  the  organization  to  build  up  the  country,  and 
again  make  the  desolate  and  waste  places  bloom  and  blossom  as 
before  the  dreadful  scourge  of  war  and  desolation  swept  over 
God's  bright  and  sunny  land. 

From  Corbett: 

Chicago,  January  8<A,  187S. 
Dear  Kelley  : 

Yours  of  January  4th  just  here.     You  will  see  by  last 

week's  Prairie  Farmer,  that  the  work  for  the  Patrons  has  been 

commenced.     I  will  try  and  go  to  Dixon  with  you. 

Yours  in  haste,  W .  W.  Corbett. 

IsToticing  a  very  good  article,  written  by  Brother 
W.  E.  Simmons,  Jr.,  of  Charleston,  South  Carolina, 
I  adopted  it  at  once  as  Tract  No.  2,  and  wrote  him 
accordingly,  to  which  he  replied: 

Charleston,  S.  C,  January  10<A,  1872. 
Dear  Brother  Kelley  : 

Yours  of  7th  instant  is  at  hand,  and  contents  noted.  You 
can  publish  the  article  alluded  to  in  any  form  you  desire.  I 
shall  feel  more  than  repaid  if  my  article  advances  the  interests 
of  the  Order.     Yours  fraternally,  W.  E.  Simmons,  Jr. 

TuE  First  Subordinate  Grange  in  Michigan 
was  organized  by  E.  M.  Jones,  a  Special  Deputy, 
January  10th,  1872,  and  known  as 

BuRNSiDE  Grange,  No.  1. 

Andrew  Brown,  Nicholas  Vandewalkeb, 

Robert  IIillis,  Chas.  Cole, 

David  IIillis,  N.  A.  Vandewalker, 


Victory  Through  Perseverance.  j6p 

r.  Vandewalker,  Horace  Westover, 

Edward  Best,  Almon  IIunson, 

Jas.  Anderson,  "VV.  II.  Merrian, 

John  Mkrrian,  John  McIntosu, 

Henry  Turner,  John  Scott, 

Wm.  Houghton,  IIerecca  Vandewalker, 

Jackson  McNara,  Meranda  McNara, 

LoRiNA  Hallis,  Robt.  Hillis,  Sr., 

Eunice  Vandewalker,  Norman  Smith, 
Mrs.  a.  Cole,  Mrs.  A.  Brown, 

Thomas  Bradley,  Henry  Turner, 

Mrs.  M.  Turner. 

At  Haydenville,  Ohio,  a  correspondence  resulted 
in  a  Subordinate  Grange.  Two  active  men  did  a 
good  work  in  that  vicinity, — Brothers  W.  Stiers 
and  Y.  C.  Stiers.  At  this  time,  Robert  McCaull, 
E.  J.  Ohr,  J.  Wilkinson,  J.  C.  Abbott,  and  several 
others,  were  beginning  to  make  their  mark  as  effi- 
cient Deputies  in  Iowa,  and  an  unlooked-for  interest 
evinced  itself  in  the  vicinity  of  Carthage,  Missouri, 
where  Ellis  Sergeant  and  several  others  were  taking 
active  interest. 

Brother  Williams,  who  had  been  appointed  a 
General  Deputy  at  Rienzi,  Mississippi,  wrote  Janu- 
ary 16th: 

"  I  am  now  appointing  a   Special  Deputy  in  each  county, 
where  I  can  find  a  suitable  man.     I  send  j'ou  an   application 
to-day  from  the  extreme  southern  part  of  the  State.     Give  me 
24 


J) 


yo  Patrons  of  Husbandly. 


instructions  relative  to  organizing  State  Grange.  I  send  yon  a 
copy  of  the  Field  and  Factory ,  edited  by  Major  E.  G.  Wall,  a 
member  of  our  Grange." 


'o^ 


Tims  the  fire  was  spreading  in  various  directions, 
not  omitting  Vermont,  where  Deputy  Eben  Thomp- 
son was  at  work. 

On  the  29th  of  January,  I  issued  Tract  E"o.  3, 
written  by  D.  S.  Curtiss. 

The  month  of  January  closed  wHth  fifty-four  new 
Granges,  and  February  commenced  vigorously. 
"We  had  now  adopted  the  plan  of  putting  the  docu- 
ments in  tin  cases,  and  it  began  to  require  some 
labor  to  fill  them  and  do  up  the  packages,  as  well 
as  to  attend  to  correspondence.  My  daughters 
made  themselves  useful,  when  out  of  school,  and 
the  whole  family  worked  early  and  late.  Up  to 
about  this  time  we  had  carried  our  packages  per- 
sonally to  the  Express  office,  but  this  was  becomirig 
quite  a  task,  being  a  distance  of  full  two  miles. 
The  Express  wagon  then  commenced  calling  for 
them  twice  a  week;  soon  after,  every  other  day, 
until  we  moved  our  office  to  Georgetown,  when  it 
made  daily  visits,  and  has  continued  so  to  do  up  to 
the  present  time.  During  the  past  two  years,  it  has 
been  no  uncommon  thing  to  have  four  Adams' 
Express  wagons  at  our  office  door  at  one  time,  day 
after  day.      Our   outgoing  package    business  has 


371 


O.   WYATT    AIKEN. 


Victory  TJirough  Perseverance.  jji 

been  much  larger  tlian  any  otlier  house  in  the  city. 
About  the  10th  of  February,  Colonel  D.  Wyutt 
Aiken  came  to  Washington,  as  a  delegate  from 
South  Carolina,  to  the  Agricultural  Convention, 
called  by  invitation  of  Commissioner  "VVatts,  of  the 
Department  of  Agriculture.  From  the  fact  of  his 
also  having  received  the  appointment  as  a  Deputy 
in  our  Order,  he  naturally  wished  to  know  some- 
thing of  the  organization  he  was  to  represent  in  the 
South.  He  first  called  upon  Brother  Saunders,  but 
failed  to  elicit  much  encouragement,  and  after  a 
two  days'  search,  found  our  office,  not  over  san- 
guine as  to  the  popularity  of  our  Order.  Our  first 
interview,  however,  satisfied  him  that  we  were 
establishing  an  organization  to  wield  an  immense 
power,  or  else  the  Secretary  was  a  fanatic  on  the 
subject.  He  examined  our  books,  looked  over 
some  of  our  correspondence,  and  made  himself 
generally  familiar  with  the  work  of  a  General 
Deputy.  He  then  attended  Mr.  Watts'  Conven- 
tion, and  finding  that  was  to  prove  a  failure,  as  far 
as  it  was  proposed  to  benefit  the  farmers,  he  made 
a  short  emphatic  speech,  in  which  the  Chairman 
called  him  to  order,  as  expressing  himself  in  a 
political  vein.  Brother  Aiken,  however,  held  the 
floor  until  he  had  finished,  closing  with  language 
somewhat  like  this : 


J  7^  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

Mr.  Chairman  : — This  is  ostensibly  an  Agricultural  Conven- 
tion, but  I  have  not  heard  the  word  Agriculture  spoken  since  it 
convened.  We  seem  to  be  gathered  here  in  the  interest  of  Edu- 
cation. The  wants  of  the  farmer  appear  to  be  ignored  entirely. 
TMi  will  not  be  the  case  always,  however,  for  there  is  now 
springing  up  amongst  the  farmers  op  our  country  an 
Organization  that  will  teach  them  their  rights,  and 
KNOWING  THEM  THEY  WILL  DARE  MAINTAIN  THEM. 
I  mean  the  organization  known  as  the  Order  of  the  Patrons  of 
Husbandry. 

This  was  a  prophecy.  The  entire  speech  was  left 
out  of  the  published  proceedings.  Brothers  Shank- 
land,  and  II.  D.  Emery  (then  of  the  Prairie  Farmer,) 
and  J.  R.  Dodge,  of  the  Department,  were  sitting 
close  by  me.  Mr.  Dodge  remarked,  "Kelley,  that's 
a  big  advertisement  for  your  Order."  Those  who 
have  heard  the  Colonel  when  he  speaks  in  earnest, 
must  rest  assured  the  little  Convention  heard  what 
he  said!  That  afternoon.  Brothers  Aiken  and 
Shankland  took  dinner  at  our  house. 

Virginia  came  in  with  the  First  Grange  at 

Petersburg.     This  was  made  up  by  Israel  Lippin- 

cott,  and  organized  by  Brother  D.   S.  Curtiss,  on 

February  16th.     The  Charter  members  were 

Wm.  B.  Bagley,  G.  W.  Congdon, 

K.  O.  C.  Lyncu,  F.  p.  Cummins, 

J.  R.  Banks,  F.  St.  J.  Barrett, 

Wm.  B.  Westdrook,  J.  C.  Brown, 

Tiios.  Banks,  W.  B.  Ritcuie, 


Vicloty  ThroiigJi  Perseverance, 


^'j  t 
j)/j> 


A.  W.  Hawks, 

E.  L.  Cummins, 
Geo.  E.  Lundie, 

J.   LiPPINCOTT, 

F.  C.    LiPPINCOTT, 

A.  Whitehead, 

IIlLAND  BUSHMORE, 


Samuel  Wood, 
Samuel  Jones, 
E.  Steere, 

M.    LiPPINCOTT, 

J.  L.  Boyd, 
Mary  E.  Congdon, 
J.  C.  Smith. 


On  the  21st  of  February,  Brother  E.  P.   Colton 

wrote  me  from  Irasburgh,  Vermont: 

It  seems  to  me  that  we  are  left  by  the  Deputy  without  a  suffi- 
cient knowledge  of  the  Order  to  enable  us  to  confer  the  cere- 
mony upon  others  in  an  impressive  and  proper  manner.  Can 
we  have  a  key,  or  must  we  "go  it  blind?"       E.  P.  Colton. 

We  received,  on  the  sixth  of  January,  the  applica- 
tion for  the  First  Subordinate  Grange  in  Oregon, 
^vith  the  following-named  Charter  members: 


Marshpield  Grange, 

Daniel  Talbert, 
Egbert  DeShafer, 
Wm.  W.  Davis, 
"W.  J.  Campbell, 
J.  O.  T.  Willis, 
Charles  Wade, 
J.  T.  Chitwood, 
Reuben  Dannalls,  Jr., 
P.  F.  Davis, 
E.  D.  Jones, 
O.  Ketciierside, 


No.  1,  Oregon. 
Philip  Foster, 
T.  E.  Batlin, 
J.  A.  Talbert, 
James  Eoots, 
J.  B.  Day, 
F.  L.   Talbert, 
James  Bennett, 
T.  J.  Matlock, 
Jacob  Mark, 
R.  F.  Davis, 
W.  T.  Linn, 


J7-/^  Ptitrons  of  Husbaudiy. 

Uriah  Daxnalls,  "Willis  McMaiion, 

"Wm.  "NVillmot,  "\Vm.  P^\jisoxs, 

M.  McMahon,  H.  E.  Chamberlain, 

TVm.  W.  Cook,  "Wm.  G.  "Welch. 

"We  were  ^eeei^'ing  sufficient  encouragement  now, 
and  notices  of  the  Order  were  being  published  in 
all  directions.  It  was  the  impression  in  my  office, 
and  well  sustained,  that  the  ball  was  fairly  in  mo- 
tion,  and  we  did  all  in  our  power  to  keep  it  going. 

Februarv  20th,  the  State  Grauire  of  ^Visconsin 
was  to  meet,  but  having  arranged  to  organize  three 
State  Granges,  I  could  not  reach  them. 

On  the  first  of  March,  the  State  Graxge  op 
I^'DIAXA  was  organized  with  John  "Weir,  Master, 
and  T.  Keene,  Secretary. 

I  next  went  to  Dixon,  where,  on  the  fifth  day  of 
March,  we  reorganized  the  State  Grange  of  Illinois. 
The  first  organization  had  been  declared  null,  owing 
to  the  length  of  time  that  had  expired,  and  nothing 
done  by  the  officers  to  advance  the  interests  of  the 
Order  in  that  State.  Alonzo  Golder  was  elected 
Master,  and  0.  E.  Fanning,  Secretary. 

In  all  of  tliese  State  orcranizations  we  recofrnized 
a  Master  of  a  Subordinate  Grange  entitled  to  full 
membership  of  the  State  as  soon  as  elected,  even  if 
his  Granire  had  not  been  orajanized  tAvcnty-four 
hours. 


Victory   Through  Perseverance.  Jjj 

At  DLxon,  I  first  met  with  J.  C.  Abbott,  and 
finding  Lim  an  earnest  advocate  of  the  cause,  and  a 
good  speaker,  suggested  to  him  to  travel  on  a  salary 
in  the  interests  of  the  Order.  I  was  anxious  to 
learn  the  best  way  to  employ  Deputies,  bo  that  at 
our  permanent  organization,  the  National  Grange 
might  have  the  benefit  of  my  experience.  It  was 
at  Dixon  that  Brother  Abbott  made  the  first  genu- 
ine Grange  speech  I  ever  had  the  jjleasure  of  listen- 
in  cf  to. 

From  Dixon  I  went  to  Kienzi,  Mississippi,  and 
on  the  fifteenth  of  March  had  the  pleasure  of  organ- 
izing; that  State  Grange,  with  Gen.  A.  J.  Vautrhan, 
Master,  and  AV.  L.  AVilliams,  Secretary.  It  rained 
that  night — a  fearful  rain — so  that  we  did  not  ven- 
ture to  go  to  the  hotel.  I  make  a  note  of  it  for  the 
benefit  of  those  who  had  friends  at  that  meeting. 

On  March  loth,  1872,  Dr.  D.  L.  Phares  organized 
the  FiBST  Subordinate  Gra^'ge  in  Loui=iA2fA,  with 
these  Charter  members : 

J.    G.   GaYDZX,  J.   H.    PilAEES, 

J.  E.  Jackson,  J.  M.  Young, 

J.  L  CovEBT,  D.  J.  Wedge, 

W.  T.  Keenan,  S.  A-  Hayden, 

O.   P.   LA2fGW0ETHY,  J.  P.    MONAHAN, 

T,  J,  PiOGEES,  Miss  Kate  Meeeick, 

Mes.  Lula  Jac-kson.  Mes.  3L  Hayden, 

Me-s.  M.  F.  Langwoethy. 


jy6  Pat}vns  of  Husbandly. 

The  organizing  of  Subordinate  Granges  at  pro- 
miscuous meetings  was  becoming  quite  popular, 
and  it  was  no  uncommon  tbing  for  a  Deputy  to 
report  fifty  Charter  members.  I  wrote  one  Deputy 
as  follows:  "It  is  poor  policy,  and  will  be  the  death 
of  one-half  the  Granges,  to  make  them  as  at  pre- 
sent, taking  a  promiscuous  crowd  at  a  public  meet- 
ing. It  should  be  done  by  quietly  making  up  the 
requisite  number.  It  may  take  longer,  but  if  Dep- 
uties are  well  paid  for  their  services,  there  will  be 
no  trouble." 

February  closed  with  eighty-two  new  Granges. 
Those  who  were  personally  intimate  with  us  at  that 
time,  know  this  success  was  very  refreshing. 

During  my  absence  on  this  trip,  a  circumstance 
happened  that  made  a  material  change  in  some  of 
our  arrangements.  On  leaving  home,  I  owed  our 
printers  about  $490,  on  a  bill  of  |900.  They  had 
mentioned  the  matter  to  Brother  Saunders,  and  he, 
evidently  surprised  that  I  Avas  pushing  business, 
told  them  not  to  trust  me  any  more,  and  informed 
Miss  Hall  what  he  had  said  to  the  printers.  This 
was  decidedly  provoking,  as  our  books  show  she 
was  paying  the  printers  at  the  rate  of  $150  per 
week  at  that  time.  On  my  return  home,  March 
16th,  there  was  but  a  balance  of  $89.51  due  them, 
and  I  closed  the  account  at  once  without  ceremony. 


Victory  TI trough  Perseverance.  j// 

Miss  Hall,  on  her  own  responsibility,  had,  in  the 
meantime,  opened  negotiations,  at  far  more  reason- 
able prices,  with  J.  A.  AVagenseller,  of  Philadel- 
phia, who  has  since  done  the  great  bnlk  of  our 
work.  The  change  brouglit  us  in  contact  with 
other  parties,  to  our  material  benefit. 

March  was  quite  an  improvement  upon  that 
month  a  year  previous.  Tlie  letters  from  Kansas 
and  Nebraska  predominated,  and  Joshua  Ball  ap- 
peared to  be  the  coming  man  in  Kansas.  The  call 
for  tracts,  or  any  reading  matter  that  would  dissem- 
inate information  regarding  the  Order,  was  loud 
from  all  the  States,  and  they  were  distributed 
liberally. 

My  report  of  success,  West  and  South,  as  well  as 
the  increase  of  Granges,  gave  Brothers  Trimble, 
Saunders  and  J.  K.  Thompson  much  satisfaction. 
The  funds  were  getting  plenty,  which  was  a  decided 
relief  to  my  mind.  Of  course,  there  was  no  trouble 
now  in  getting  any  accommodation  I  might  ask. 
My  landlord,  who  had  been  on  the  anxious  seat  a 
few  months  previous,  Undly  reduced  our  house 
rent  when  I  suggested  procuring  more  convenient 
quarters.  Several  opportunities  were  presented 
wherein  I  could  invest  any  surplus  on  hand.  But  I 
did  not  even  nibble  at  any  tempting  bait.  AYe 
could  now  adopt  the  cash  ,system  in  all  our  dealings, 


o 


y8  Patjviis  of  Husbandry. 


and  carry  out  one  of  tlie  great  principles  of  our 
Order. 

It  was  interesting  to  notice  the  sentiments  ex- 
pressed by  our  numerous  correspondents  relative  to 
the  work  of  our  Order,  and  I  copy  from  two  let- 
ters, as  an  example;  the  first  is  from  General  A.  J. 
Yaughan : 

Early  Grove,  Miss.,  March  2%d,  1872. 
O.  H.  Kelley, — Dear  Brother  : 

*  *  *  It  is  my  opinion  tliis  Order  is  the  very 
best  plan  tliat  has  been  suggested  since  the  war  to  bring  about 
tliat  friendship  whicli  sliould  exist  in  all  parts  of  the  United 
States,  and  I  can  conceive  of  nothing  which  would  so  soon  eradi- 
cate sectional  prejudices.  I  but  reflect  the  feelings  and  senti- 
ments of  every  true  man  in  the  South,  when  I  state  that  it  is  our 
wish  and  most  earnest  desire  to  meet  in  friendly  relation  the  true 
men  from  every  State  in  the  Union,  and  so  soon  as  a  like  feeling 
and  sentiment  is  manifested  all  over  the  country,  peace,  friend- 
ship and  harmony  will  prevail.        *        *        * 

Yours  truly,  A.  J.  Vaughan. 

The  second  is  from  Brother  Robert  McCaull : 

Garden  Grove,  Iowa,  March  25t7i,  1872. 
Dear  Brother: 

*  *  *  The  farmers  of  this  county  are  beginning 
to  wake  up  at  last.  Two  other  townships  have  asked  for  infor- 
mation in  regard  to  organizing  Granges.  Our  own  is  increasing  in 
numbers  and  efficiency,  and  realizing  some  of  the  advantages  of 
the  Order.  We  have  already  received  our  groceries  from  a  whole- 
sale house  in  Burlington  at  30  per  cent,  less  than  we  had  to  pay 
our  local  merchants  here.     Arrangements  have  been  made   for 


Victory  Through  Pcncvcrancc.  ^yc^ 

getting  our  plows  and  cultivators  at  a  discount  of  35  per  cent  for 
cash.  When  we  can  ship  our  produce  direct  to  Eastern  consu- 
mers, either  in  Eastern  States  or  to  Europe,  then  we  will  get  rid  of 
the  horde  of  middlemen  who  suck  tlie  life-blood  out  of  the  farm- 
ers. I  remain  yours  truly,  Robeiit  IMcCauli.. 

At  the  present  time  the  sentiments  of  both  writers 
are  equally  blended,  and  give  an  illustration  of  an 
association  working  with  a  stimulus  of  fraternity 
and  dollars,  a  motive  power  not  to  be  surpassed. 

Our  first  female  correspondent  in  Mississippi  was 
Mrs.  Fannie  Q.  Willis,  of  Hamilton,  Monroe  County. 
She  wrote  me  March  28th : 

"Through  the  circulars  you  sent  me  some  time  since  and 
former  labors  on  my  part  in  behalf  of  the  Order  of  Patrons  of 
Husbandry,  we  have  succeeded  in  arousing  an  interest  in  the 
cause  that  promises  wonderful  results  to  its  good  in  the  future. 
We  have  now  a  Grange  in  my  nearest  town."         *        *        * 

During  the  month  we  received  ninety-six  applica- 
tions for  new  Granges. 

With  the  close  of  March  I  had  an  opportunity  of 
exemplifying  a  scriptural  injunction,  "Cast  thy 
bread  upon  the  waters  and  thou  shalt  gather  it  after 
mamj  days."  Brother  Saunders  was  unexpectedly 
"short,"  and  I  had  the  pleasure  of  returning  him  in 
a  lump  the  sum  total  of  his  advances  to  the  Order 
from  the  commencement.  I  handed  him  the  amount 
on  the  morning  of  April  1st,  and  received  this 
voucher: 


J'^O 


Patrons  cf  Hushandn. 


XATIOXAi  GkAXGK,  PaTKONS  OF  HrSBASDRT,  ) 

1104.90  Washisgtox.  D.  C.  ) 

Received  of  O.  R  Kellev,  Secretary  of  the  isational 
Gransre,  t>ne  hundred  and  four  dollars  and  ninety  cents,  for 
money  advanced  at  various  times  for  use  of  the  Order. 

April  l*f,  IST-:.  William  Saodkrs. 

On  the  second  day  of  April  we  received  the  appli- 
cation for  the 

First  Suboedixate  Gkaxge  ix  Kansas. 

The  Chakttr  Members  of  Hiawatha  Grange.  Xo.  1, 
Organized  by  Joshua  Ball,  JfarcA  2Sf/j,  lvS72. 


Jos.  F.  Babbitt, 
Jacob  Scoitex, 
John  "Walters, 

Jos.  KiTTIXGEB, 

Samuel  A.  Blrx'S, 

JOHX  M.  HiLLMAX, 

Wm.  S.  Dillingham, 
William  Eapeord, 
E.  T.  Chamberlain, 
J.  y.  Seemajs. 
P.  J.  Heimlich, 
"W.  Johannes, 
John  Barnum, 
Thtrston  Cask. 
Mrs.  Hattie  Rife, 
Mrs.  S.  T.  Haxl, 
Mrs.  E.  E.  Watkins, 


Thos.  Ellis, 
"William  D.  Rife, 
"William  S.  Hall, 
Benj.  J.  Watkins, 
A.  S.  Ellis, 
Joseph  Cracraft, 
A.  ArsTiN, 
J.  "W.  Babbit, 
Simeon  Baker, 

E.  BlERER, 

Harvey  Seburn, 
Daniel  Hazen, 
J.  G.  Hannah, 
Mrs.  p.  A.  Babbit, 
Mrs.  E.  a.  "Walters, 
Mrs.  M.  J.  Kittinger, 
Mrs.  Mary  Ellis, 


Victory  Through  Perseverance.  j8i 

Mrs.  n.  E.  IIillman,  Mrs.  L.  Cracraft, 

Mrs.  R.  p.  Dillingham,  Mrs.  E.  Austin, 

Mrs.  E.  Radford,  Mrs.  E.  Bierer, 

Mrs.  M.  Seblrn,  Mrs.  Louisa  Barnum, 

Mrs.  II.  M.  Hannau,  Mrs.  0.  T.  Case. 

On  April  4th,  if  lightning  had  come  into  our 
office,  we  would  not  have  been  more  surprised  than 
we  were  to  receive  two  applications,  (his  first  work) 
sent  in  by  Col.  D.  Wyatt  Aiken,  from  South  Caro- 
lina. The  same  day,  as  companions,  we  received 
nine  applications  from  Iowa. 

I  had  added  another  Tract  to  our  "Brvan  Fund" 
collection, — that  of  Capt.  E.  L.  Ilovey,  of  Vermont, 
and  was  scattering  these  documents  in  reply  to  the 
many  letters  of  inquiry,  as  to  the  aims  and  objects 
of  the  Order.  During  this  month,  our  members  in 
Vermont  commenced  agitating  the  matter  of  a 
Patrons'  Fourth  of  July  Celebration,  which  result- 
ed in  the  determination  to  organize  their  State 
Grange  on  that  occasion, — a  very-  appropriate  way 
and  day  to  celebrate  the  introduction  of  our  Order 
in  the  Xew  England  States. 

I  find  in  a  letter  from  J.  II.  Williams,  dated 
April  12th,  at  Farm  Hill,  Minnesota,  this  sugges- 
tion: "  The  Fifth  Degree  should  be  conferred  in  the 
County  Grange,  the  Sixth  in  the  State  Grange,  and 
the  Serenth  in  the  iSTational."     This  called  to  mind 


J> 


82  Patrons  of  Husbandry, 


the  plan  jiroposed  to  Bartlett,  in  the  commence- 
ment, to  add  other  degrees  as  thej  might  be  called 
for.  By  the  late  amendment  to  the  Constitution, 
the  County  Granges  now  have  the  Fifth  Degree. 
Will  the  States  have  the  Sixth,  and  the  National 
work  exclusively  in  ike  Seventh? 

Brother  J.  G.  II.  Little,  of  Muscatine,  Iowa, 
also  wrote:  ''  Cannot  there  be  some  means  whereby, 
by  payment  of  certain  amounts,  members  can  ad- 
vance as  far  as  those  who  may  be  so  fortunate  as  to 
be  Masters  by  election?" 

I  come  now  to  another  matter.  After  the  oriran- 
ization  of  the  State  Grange  in  "Wisconsin,  in  1871, 
letters,  both  of  approval  and  complaint,  relative  to 
Deputy  Burnham,  were  plenty,  and  the  correspond- 
ence w^hich  passed  between  the  parties,  the  Doctor 
and  myself,  left  the  impression  that  while  there  was 
some  foundation  for  complaint,  it  was  aggravated 
in  a  degree  by  prejudice,  and  I  suggested  to  the 
Doctor  to  labor  in  some  other  field.  He  was  con- 
sidered, in  our  ofiice,  a  successful  organizer  at  the 
time,  and  such  were  in  demand.  I  coincided  with 
him  in  a  plan  for  a  trip  through  the  States  east- 
ward, and  about  three  months  afterward,  giving  us  a 
full  account  of  his  arranc^ements  for  leavinsf  Wis- 
consin,  he  wrote  from  Waterloo,  Jefferson  County, 
March  4th,  1872,  as  "improved  in  health,  and  ready 
for  immediate  duty." 


Victory  TJirorglL  rcrscvcrancc.  jSj 

There  was  received,  during  my  absence  Yv^est  and 
Soutli,  a  series  of  resolutions  passed  by  the  State 
Grange  of  Wisconsin,  requesting  liis  immediate 
removal  from  the  office  of  Deputy,  and  closing  with 
these  words:  "And  it  is  our  deliberate  opinion  that 
he  ought  not  to  be  allowed  to  operate  in  other 
States  unless,  at  least,  as  subject  to  the  restraint 
and  influence  of  an  experienced  and  reputable 
General  Deputy,  or  other  officer  of  the  !N"ational 
Grange."  Upon  this  he  was  requested  to  stop 
organizing  in  "Wisconsin,  and  the  next  letter  from 
him  was  dated  Kunda,  Illinois,  March  30th,  1872, 
in  which  he  stated  he  had  been  there  over  a  week 
lecturing  and  reorganizing  the  ITunda  Grange,  con- 
sidering such  work  as  trespassing. 

I  determined  to  know  all  about  him  and  his  work 
from  a  disinterested  party,  and  on  the  suggestion  of 
the  Wisconsin  resolutions,  I  immediately  telegraphed 
Drother  J.  C.  Abbott,  at  Clarksville,  Iowa :  "  Hold 
yourself  in  readiness  to  start  for  Nunda,  III.,  on  receipt 
of  a  registered  letter  mailed  to-day."  In  the  letter  I  en- 
closed him  the  entire  correspondence  and  sufficient 
funds  for  ticket  and  road  expenses,  and  requested 
him  to  interview  the  Doctor  to  his  satisfaction, 
examine  into  what  he  had  done  and  was  doing,  and 
report  to  me  as  soon  as  expedient,  if  ho  founti 
him,  in   his   opinion   worthy,   to   impart  the   new 


3^4-  Patrons  of  Husbandly. 

secret  work,  not  otherwise.  It  is  sufficient  to  say 
that  a  letter  from  Dr.  Burnham,  dated  at  !N^unda, 
April  15th,  1872,  contained  the  Doctor's  resigna- 
tion. It  is  due  to  give  this  much  information  to 
the  early  members  of  our  Order  in  Wisconsin,  and 
could  they  go  through  the  voluminous  correspond- 
ence relative  to  the  work  in  that  State,  for  the  year 
1871,  they  would  excuse  me  (being  a  stranger  to 
all  parties)  for  apparent  slow  movements,  though 
effectual  and  in  compliance  with  their  requests  in 
the  end. 

Brother  Abbott  performed  the  unpleasant  duty 
assigned  him  in  a  very  creditable  manner.  This 
will  also  explain  to  some  of  those  in  Western 
Illinois,  who  were  so  anxious  to  know  at  the  time 
why  Brother  Abbott  was  working  in  and  about 
]!Tunda,  and  by  whose  authority. 

The  month  closed  with  eight  more  applications 
for  South  Carolina,  from  Colonel  Aiken,  and  a 
flood  of  letters  and  newspapers  from  the  South, 
while  Iowa  was  leading  oft'  in  rrrand  stvle.  Wo 
numbered  ninety- eight  new  Granges  for  April. 

May  opened  with  another  application  from  South 
Carolina,  and  during  the  month  we  received  appli- 
cations from  ten  different  States,  though  our  num- 
bers increased  but  sixty-five  for  ]May,  of  which 
fourteen  were  from  South  Carolina.     General  A. 


Victojy  ThroKgh  Perseverance.  j8^ 

J.  Vaughan  opened  a  Grange  at  La  Grange,  Ten- 
nessee, on  the  15tli  of  this  month. 

In  consultation  with  Saunders  and  J.  II.  Thomp- 
son, it  was  tliought  advisable  that  I  issue  a  circular 
to  manufacturers,  and  the  following  was  published. 
It  was  as  a  companion  to  tlic  movement  in  the 
West,  and  we  have  continued  to  disseminate  up  to 
the  present  time: 

Washington,  D.  C,  May  \st,  1872. 
To  Manufacturers  of  Agricultural  and  Domestic  Implements 
and  Machinery : 

The  Order  of  Patrons  of  Husbandry  is  an  organization  of 
farmers  and  horticulturists,  one  object  of  which  is  to  secure  to  its 
members  the  advantages  of  co-operation  in  all  things  affecting 
their  interests.  No  movement  ever  inaugurated  has  met  with 
such  popular  favor  and  universal  acceptance  as  this  Order. 

Organizations  known  as  Granges  have  been  established  in 
nearly  every  State  and  Territory  of  the  Union,  and  the  forma- 
tion of  new  Granges  is  going  on  with  constantly  accelerating 
velocity.  They  are  particularly  numerous  and  powerful  in  the 
West  and  South,  and  the  Order  is  now  being  raoidly  extended 
through  the  Middle  and  Eastern  States. 

To  enable  the  members  of  the  Order  to  purchase  implements 
and  machinery  at  as  low  cost  as  possible,  by  saving  the  commis- 
sion usually  paid  to  agents,  and  the  profits  of  the  long  line  of 
dealers  standing  between  the  manufacturers  and  the  farmers,  the 
Executive  Committee  of  the  National  Grange  desire  to  publish  a 
list  of  all  establishments  that  will  deal  directly  with  State  and 
Subordinate  Granges.  This  list  will  be  regarded  as  strictly  con- 
fidential, and  one  copy  only  will  be  furnished  to  each  Grange. 

Large  orders  can  thus  be  made  np  by  the  consolidation  of  the 
25 


t) 


86  Patrons  of  Husbandly. 


orders  from  Granges  in  the  same  State  or  vicinity,  and  special 
terms  for  freight,  etc. ,  arranged  witli  transportation  lines,  thereby 
effecting  another  large  saving  to  the  purchaser. 

Manufacturers  of  all  articles  used  by  farmers,  "who  desire  to 
avail  themselves  of  this  means  of  disposing  of  their  products 
directly  to  the  consumer  for  cash,  thereby  avoiding  the  losses 
incident  to  the  credit  system,  or  the  storing  of  goods  in  the 
hands  of  commission  merchants  and  agents,  are  invited  to  send 
their  catalogues  and  wholesale  price  lists  to,  and  to  correspond 
with,  O.  H.  Kellet, 

Secretary  of  the  National  Orange. 

About  tliis  date  I  issued  Tract  Iin'o.  3,  written  by 
J.  C.  Abbott. 

After  rendering  valuable  assistance  to  tbe  Order, 
by  lecturing  in  Illinois,  I  advised  Brother  Abbott 
to  turn  his  attention  to  reviving  the  "work  in  Wis- 
consin, where,  through  the  cause  before  mentioned, 
the  Order  was  in  bad  repute.  In  accepting  my 
proposition,  he  wrote,  under  date  of  May  10th :  "I 
have  had  an  application  from  a  man  who  has  been 
Editor,  Preacher,  Lawyer  and  Doctor,  and  is  now  a 
farmer  and  Secretary  of  a  Grange,  to  go  with  me 
to  "Wisconsin,  where,  he  says,  he  is  acquainted,  and 
help  organize.  I  promised  to  ask  you  if  you  wanted 
him.  He  is  about  forty-five,  and  can  talk  well;  I 
think  he  might  be  useful."  In  reply,  I  told  him 
there  would  be  no  objection  to  his  friend  receiving 
a  sub-commission,  if  he  desired  it,  but  that  he  must 


Victoiy  TJirough  Perseverance.  j8y 

go  on  tliG  same  terms  as  tliosc  in  Iowa.  I  would 
not  agree  to  guarantee  any  salary  or  expenses. 

At  tills  time,  in  reckoning  the  cost  of  Granges, 
Ave  found  the  materials  sent  to  each  Subordinate 
Grange  cost  seven  dollars  and  fifty  cents.  Deputies 
were  furnished  their  supplies  free,  and  upon  adding 
to  these  amounts  postage,  expressage,  and  the  office 
exjDenses,  the  total  cost  of  each  Grange  being  organ- 
ized amounted  to  about  $11.50. 

Brother  Golder,  in  a  letter  asking  for  a  financial 
statement  of  receipts  and  expenditures,  wrote:  "I 
am  pressed  by  Masters  to  get  this  information.  I 
have  no  fears  about  the  money.  It  is  rather  a 
mystery  to  me  to  know  how  you  have  run  the  insti- 
tution four  years  on  the  amount  received."  There 
were  many  others  who,  up  to  this  time,  have  never 
had  the  mystery  solved. 

During  this  month  we  found  it  absolutely  neces- 
sary to  employ  extra  clerical  force,  as  the  work  was 
crowding  us  rather  close,  wdiile  we  were  laboring 
under  inconvenience  for  want  of  suitable  office  room. 

On  the  7th  of  June,  Brother  Ireland  addressed 

me  a  note  as  follows : 

In  looking  over  some  papers  that  I  had  packed  away,  I  found 
quite  a  number  of  documents,— the  property  of  the  National 
Grange, — such  as  some  of  its  early  records.  As  these  may  be  of 
some  value  to  you,  please  call  at  my  office  and  receive  them. 

Yours  truly,  W.  M.  Ireland. 


^88  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

Oscar  Dinwiddle,  assisted  by  some  of  liis  immedi- 
ate associates — Graham,  Keene,  and  "Uncle  Char- 
ley"— were  doing  a  good  business  in  Indiana,  and 
through  their  direct  work  the  ball  was  set  w^ell  in 
motion  in  their  State. 

J.  C.  Abbott,  at  my  request,  left  Illinois  on  the 
13th,  to  take  the  field  in  Wisconsin,  from  whence 
he  wrote  as  follows : 

Sun  Prairie,  Wis.,  June  2ith,  1873. 
Brother  Kelley : 

That  you  may  be  informed  of  the  situation  of  things,  and 
also  have  some  appreciation  of  my  labors  and  discouragements 
here,  I  copy  a  letter  just  received  from  G.  W.  Sheardown,  of 
Plainfield,  as  follows : 

•'I  have  just  received  a  line  from  Hon.  S.  W.  Pierce,  Master 
of  our  State  Grange,  and  he  informs  me  he  is  making  no  arrange- 
ments for  the  session  to  come  off  on  the  2d  of  July  ;  has  lost  all 
confidence  and  whatever  zeal  he  might  have  had  in  the  cause  in 
this  State.  Wish  it  were  otherwise,  but  I  guess  it  is  a  'dead 
duck.'  Hardly  think  there  will  be  one  representative  from  any 
of  the  Granges  about  here,  for  they  have  all  failed  to  work 
except  Experiment  Grange,  of  which  E.  Abbott  is  Master,  and 
John  D.  Beggs  Secretary." 

But  I  am  not  easily  discouraged,  nor  to  be  bluffed  by  those 
who  wish  no  good  to  our  Order.  If  the  meeting  should  be  too 
small,  perhaps  it  would  be  best  to  defer  an  election  for  a  few 
weeks,  till  I  can  open  a  few  new  Granges  in  this  part  of  the 
State,  and  then  call  a  State  meeting  at  some  Railroad  centre.  In 
any  event,  you  can  rely  upon  my  doing  what  I  consider  for  the 
best  good  of  our  glorious  cause.     Yours,  J.  C.  Abbott. 


Victory  Through  Perseverance.  j8g 

The  First  Letter   from  Arkansas  was  from 
Judge  John  T.  Jones : 

IIblena,  Ark.,  June  15<A,  1873. 
O.  H.  Kelley,— Dear  Sir  : 

Be  good  enough  to  furnish  me  with  a  copy  of  the  Consti- 
tution of  the  Order  of  Patrons  of  Husbandry,  with  such  infor- 
mation as  may  enable  me  to  move  in  the  establishment  of  State 
and  Subordinate  Granges  here,  should  it  be  found  to  meet  the 
wants  of  our  husbandmen. 

I  have  been  a  citizen  of  this  county  for  thirty-seven  years ; 
was  President  of  the  first  Agricultural  Society  established  in  the 
county,  and  United  States  Senator-eieci  from  this  State  in  1866. 
I  refer  you  to  Hon.  James  M.  Hawks,  M.  C,  or  should  he  have 
left  Washington  before  this  reaches  you,  to  Messrs.  Pike  and 
Johnson,  Attorneys-at-Law,  in  your  city. 

Very  respectfully  yours,  John  T.  Jones. 

His  request  for  documents  was  complied  witli. 

About  this  time  I  perpetrated  a  joke  in  Iowa, 
but  not  intentional.  In  January,  Brother  Adams 
had  given  me  the  "cipher"  in  which  the  annual 
password  was  to  be  communicated  in  his  State.  I 
had  been  receiving  information  relative  to  prospects 
of  crops  and  amount  of  grain  on  hand,  and  com- 
piled a  paragraph  in  this  "  cipher,"  as  I  understood 
it,  for  the  benefit  of  Patrons  in  Iowa.  Judge  my 
amusement  on  receiving  this  from  Brother  Adams : 

"That  probabilities  of  crops  which  you  publish  in  the  Eome- 
stead,  in  demoralized  capitals,  what  is  it  ?  I  confess  to  igno- 
rance, unless  it  be  to  blind  and  bother  such  good  friends  aa  the 


jpo  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

Western  Farmer,  and  make  them  howl,  in  which  it  has  proved  a 
magnificent  success.  Please  keep  me  posted  in  these  matters, 
whether  business  or  fun,  as  I  am  expected  to  untie  all  the  knots 
for  this  State  and  many  in  others." 

The  approaching  celebration  in  Vermont,  and 
j)roj)osed  organization  of  that  State  Grange,  in- 
duced me  to  take  a  short  vacation  in  the  Green 
Mountains.  J.  E..  Thompson  had  been  invited  to 
deliver  the  oration  at  St.  Johnsbury  on  the  Fourth 
of  July,  and  called  upon  me  for  some  items.  I 
gave  him  several  letters,  telling  of  the  interest  in 
the  Order  "Westward,  and  in  the  South,  and  a 
number  of  newspapers.  After  looking  them  over, 
as  he  was  about  to  leave,  he  said  he  had  learned 
more  about  the  Order  in  one  hour  than  he  had 
ever  known  before.  I  take  that,  even  now,  as  a 
compliment  for  the  facility  with  which  I  could 
impart  information. 

We  closed  up  June  with  eighty-six  Dispensations. 

July  3d  I  had  the  pleasure  of  calling  the  meeting 
to  order,  at  which  we  organized  the  State  Grange 
OF  Vermont,  with  the  following  as  officers: 

Master,         -----       E.  P.  Colton. 

Lecturer,        -       -      -       -       -    H.  C.  Woodward. 

Overseer,      .       -       .  -       .       W.  G.  Bartlett. 
Steward,  -       -       -        -       -       -    G.  H.  Carr. 

Assistant  Steivard,      •  -       -       J.   Dow. 
Secretary,        -       -       -       -       -    E.  L.  Hovet. 

Treasurer,   -       -       -  -       -       C.  J.  Bell. 

Chaplain,        -       -       -        -       -    S.  H.  RoWELL. 

Gate-Keeper,       -       -  -       -       J.  Lawrence. 


Vicioty  Th'oitgh  Perseverance.  jqi 

Thc4tli  found  the  Order  Avell  represented,  luid  llie 
forenoon  Avas  passed  listening  to  several  speeches 
in  tlic  Court-IIousc.  In  Bro.  Thompson's  address 
I  find  the  followin<x: 

I  will,  therefore,  briefly  relate  to  j^ou,  for  the  first  time,  the 
simple  and  uneventful  story  of  its  origin. 

On  a  rainy  afternoon  in  the  fall  of  18G6,  two  gentlemen  were 
introduced  to  each  other  by  a  mutual  friend,  in  one  of  the  com- 
mittee rooms  of  the  National  Capitol. 

The  one  was  from  the  frontier  of  the  new  State  of  Minnesota, 
and  was  a  fair  type  of  the  active,  energetic,  enterprising  and 
go-ahead  Western  farmer,  who  had  just  returned  from  a  tour  of 
the  South,  whither  he  had  been  sent  by  order  of  the  President 
of  the  United  States,  to  investigate  and  report  to  the  Agricultural 
Department  the  condition  and  prospects  of  the  Agricultural 
resources  of  the  South. 

The  other  was  a  Vermonter,  so  recently  from  the  green  hill- 
sides of  Yankeedom,  that  the  habit  of  asking  questions  when- 
ever desirable  information  was  to  be  obtained,  was  still  strong 
upon  him. 

This  chance  meeting,  so  casual  in  its  character,  and  so  like,  in 

its  persons  and  its  incidents,  the  thousands  of  accidental  meetings 

of  strangers  that  occur  every  day,  strikingly  illustrates  the  truth 

that 

"  God  moves  in  a  mysterious  way, 
His  wonders  to  perform," 

for  from  it  sprang  one  of  the  grandest  and  most  beneficent, 
moral,  industrial,  social  and  educational  reforms  of  the  Century, 
if  not  of  all  time. 

The  Vermonter  at  once  marked  his  new  Western  acquaintance 
as  legitimate  prey.  He  had  just  returned,  not  only  with  his 
note-book  filled  with  notes  upon  the  agricultural  condition  and 


jg2  Patrons  cf  Hiisba7tdiy. 

resources  of  tlic  South,  but  -nUli  his  head  crammed  with  infor- 
mation and  impressions,  ns  to  the  iiolitical  feelings  and  the  social 
status  of  its  people,  gleaned  by  personal  contact  with  and  obser- 
vation among  them. 

All  this  information  and  all  these  impressions  the  other  desired 
to  know,  and  enforced  his  demands  with  such  pointed  and  per- 
sistent questions,  that  the  afternoon  was  consumed  in  uninter- 
rupted conversation  and  discussion. 

Dinner  was  forgotten,  daylight  faded,  twilight  deepened  into 
darkness,  the  gas  was  lighted  and  the  conversation  still  ran  on. 
The  evening  hours  had  recorded  themselves  upon  the  dial  and 
fled  before  the  new  friends  separated,  each  having  received  ideas 
which  neither  had  before  entertained. 

As  tins  was  told  from  memory,  five  years  and  a 
lialf  after  the  meeting  referred  to,  any  error  in  dates 
is  pardonable,  but  Brother  J.  E,.  will  not  object  to 
ray  placing  both  of  lis  right  on  the  record.  I  met 
him  for  the  first  time  the  evening  I  reached  Wash- 
ington in  ]!^ovember,  1866,  nearly  seven  months 
after  my  return  from  the  South,  but  I  have  no  recol- 
lection of  ever  having  so  long  a  conversation  with 
him  or  any  other  man  by  which  I  euchered  myself 
out  of  a  dinner  and  supper  both.  If  so,  it  was 
another  of  those  "mysterious  moves,"  in  which  I 
have  not  yet  proved  a  success. 

However,  the  day  was  delightful ;  everything  was 
harmonious ;  the  band  played  splendidly ;  the  dinner 
was  capital;  the  installation  of  ofiicers  of  Green 
Mountain  Grange  in  the  afternoon  was  interesting; 


Victoiy  ThroiigJi  Perseverance.  jpj 

and  all  seemed  pleased  with  the  first  Patron's  Cele- 
bration in  ISTew  England. 

In  the  Western  States,  the  day  was  equally  hon- 
ored by  our  Order.  Processions,  miles  in  length, 
and  gatherings  of  thousands,  and  in  one  instance 
ten  thousand  people  were  reported  in  one  assem- 
blage under  the  marshalship  of  our  Granges.  All 
this  was  enough  to  encourage  us  to  still  work  on 
and  strive  the  harder  to  add  more  happy  days  to 
each  farmer's  family,  for  it  is  in  these  social  gather- 
ings they,  and  particularly  their  wives  and  daughters, 
find  some  relief  from  the  dull  routine  of  their  daily 
labors.  The  trip  to  Vermont  occupied  three  weeks, 
and  I  returned  much  improved  in  health. 

I  cannot  well  omit  one  item  that  may  encourage 
some  others.  I  had  for  years  been  an  inveterate 
smoker  of  tobacco.  ISTo  one  ever  enjoyed  a  good 
cigar  or  pipe  more  than  myself,  though  I  never  in- 
dulged in  chewing;  yet  smoked  to  such  excess 
that  it  gave  me  much  anxiety.  The  morning  we  left 
home  for  Vermont,  my  throat  troubled  me  considera- 
ble while  smoking.  I  decided  it  might  be  caused 
by  that,  and  threw  the  cigar  away.  I  never  have 
used  tobacco  since,  and,  singular  to  relate,  felt  no 
unpleasant  effects  from  stopping.  Perhaps  the  few 
days  of  severe  trouble  with  my  throat  assisted  me  to 
overcome  any  desire  to  smoke. 


jp/  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

On  tlie  2cl  of  July  tlio  State  Grange  of  Mississippi 
held  its  meeting,  and  passed,  among  others,  this  res- 
olution : 

"That  the  State  Grange  of  Mississippi  desires  to  have  the 
Fifth  Degree  of  the  Order  abolished,  except  the  obligation." 

About  these  days  we  were  receiving  many  letters 
desiring  changes  in  both  the  Ritual  and  Constitu- 
tion; in  fact,  if  we  had  given  any  heed  Avhatever  to 
such  requests  there  would  not  have  been  a  line  left 
of  anything  connected  with  the  Order.  "We  made  it 
a  point  to  furnish  every  one,  asking,  with  a  copy  of 
the  Constitution  and  Tracts,  so  they  could  join 
advisedly.  If  they  then  became  members,  fault 
finding  Avith  any  of  the  work  came  with  bad  grace. 
If  there  was  any  "tomfoolery"  not  agreeable,  they 
had  the  same  privileges  as  in  other  orders.  Proba- 
bly if  we  had  several  skeletons  of  unknown  individ- 
uals scattered  promiscuously  about  the  halls,  the 
ceremonies  might  be  more  agreeable. 

During  July  General  Yaughan  opened  another 
Grange  in  Tennessee. 

G.  "W".  Smith- Yaniz,  of  Canton,  Mississippi,  wrote 
me  under  date  of  July  4th,  asking  information  as 
to  organizing  a  Subordinate  Grange.  About  one 
year  after,  he  sent  me,  as  a  present  to  the  Kational 
Office,  the  First  Grange  Banner  that  ever  was 
carried  south  of  Mason  and  Dixon's  line. 


Victoiy  TJirougJi  Perseverance.  jpj 

R.  D.  To  well,  Special  Deputy,  organized  July 
15tli,  1872,  the  First  Subordinate  Grange  in 
Alabama,  known  as  Yorkvillc,  Ko.  1.  The  Charter 
members  were: 

J.  T.  Hancock,  R.  Bkown, 

I.    M.    QtJINN,  I.    II.    AliCHEB, 

R.  I.  Hughes,  AV.   Gork, 

W.  L.  Duncak,  Miss  Saxhe  BRO^rN", 

Miss  Georgie  Brown. 

July  was  one  of  the  hottest  months  ever  experi- 
enced in  Washington;  the  work  in  our  oifice  ex- 
ceeded any  previous  month,  hut  Miss  Hall  proved 
herself  competent  for  the  task,  recording  one  hun- 
dred and  fifteen  Dispensations. 

South  Carolina  made  rapid  strides  during  the 
month. 

August  2d  gave  us  the  State  Grange  of  Ne- 
braska, organized  by  Gen.  AV"m.  Duane  Wilson, 
Avith  the  followino;  officers : 

Master,         .       -       _       .       .  Wm.  B.  Porter. 

Lecturer, S.  P.  Mobley. 

Overseer,      -----  J.  W.  Cox. 

Steward, A.  J.  Price. 

Assistant  Steward,      -       -       -  E.  H.  NoxoK. 

Chaplain         .       _       -       -       .  Timothy  Clark. 

Secretary, Wm.   McCaig. 

Gate-Keex>er, Wsi.  C.  Browx. 

Ceres, Mrs.  W>i.  B.  Porter. 

Pomona,  - Mrs.  Wji.  C.  Brown. 

Flora,  - Mrs.  Timothy  Clakk. 

Lady  Assistant  Steward,      -       -  Mrs.  S.  P.  Mobley. 


jp6  Patrons  of  Husbandty. 

Gen.  "Wilson  communicated  "by  letter : 

"There  were  sixteen  Granges  represented  at  the  organization, 
and  we  all  worked  hard  most  of  the  time,  for  two  days  and  three 
nights,  from  7.30  A.  M.  to  12  P.  M.  I  doubt  if  any  State 
Grange  has  ever  been  opened  more  thoroughly,  and  in  which 
there  was  a  more  earnest  desire  to  carry  out  fully  the  whole 
desiarn  of  the  Order." 


-"fs* 


August  3d,  we  received  tlie  First  Application 
FROM  Arkansas.  The  Grange  was  organized  at 
Phillip's  Academy,  by  Hon.  John  T.  Jones.  The 
following  were  the  members'  names : 

John  T.  Joxes,  J.  W.  Keesee, 

A.  G.   JoKJiAJS",  K.  J.  Polk, 

C.  Polk,  E.  A.  Blotjxt, 

T.  L.  JoN-ES,  Mrs.  J.  T.  Jo^'es, 

Miss  A.  Jo^^es,  Mrs.  J.  "W.  Keesee, 

J.  Cook,  Mrs.  C.  Polk, 

Mrs.  T.  L.  Joxes,  Peter  K.  Ford. 

From  Texas  came  the  following  letter,  from  one 
who  was  among  the  first  of  those  who  became  prom- 
inent in  the  Order  there : 

Salada,  Bell  CotTKTT,  Texas,  ) 
August  \st,  1872.  / 

O.  H.  Kellet, 

Secretary  National  Grange,  Washington,  D.  C: 

Dear  Sir  : 

"Wishing  to  see  the  Order  of  the  "  Patrons  of 

Husbandry"  introduced  into  our  State,  believing  that  it  would 

accomplish  great  good,  at  the  suggestion  of  Colonel  D.  "Wyatt 

Aiken,  of  South  Carolina,  I  will  say  to  you,  that  if  you  see 


JOHN   T.   JONES. 


THOMAS   TAYLOR. 


WM.    B.    PORTER. 


^97 


R.   D.   POWELL. 


Victoty  TJirougJi  rcrseverancc.  jgy 

proper  to  appoint  me  Deputy  for  this  State,  I  will  labor  diligently 
to  introduce  the  Order  into  every  county  in  our  great  State.  Of 
course  I  would  Avant  a  complete  outfit. 

Very  respectfully,        II.  II.   Pahkeu. 

The  next  valuable  information  for  record,  is  the 
resumption  of  the  meetings  of  our  Executive  Com- 
mittee, which,  I  am  pleased  to  say,  were  prompted 
by  a  laudable  desire  to  know  something  about  the 
receipts  and  expenditures  of  my  office. 

Special  Meeting  of  the  Executive  Committee, 
Friday  Evening,  August  dth,  1872, 

A  special  meeting  of  the  Executive  Committee 
was  called  by  the  Master  of  the  National  Grange. 

Present,  Brothers  Saunders,  Grosh,  J.  R.  Thomp- 
son, and  Kelley. 

It  being  the  first  meeting  of  the  Committee  for 
one  year,  a  large  number  of  letters  were  waiting 
the  Committee's  action. 

A  portion  of  them  were  read,  and  several  were 
placed  in  the  hands  of  Brother  Thompson,  who 
agreed  to  put  the  decisions  in  writing,  and  return 
to  the  Secretary  on  Monday,  the  11th. 

Adjourned  until  Thursday  evening,  15th  instant. 

O.  H.  K,  Sec'y. 

August  Uth,  1872. 
Friend  Kelley  : 

Enclosed  please  find  the  decisions  which  I  think  are  in 
accordance  with  the  views  of  the  Executive  Committee.  I  will 
endeavor  to  spend  an  hour  or  two  with  you  some  afternoon  or 
evening  this  week.  Yours  fraternally,  J.  R.  T. 


jg8  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

j^DJOURNED  MeETING.OF  THE  EXECUTIVE  COMMITTEE, 

Thursday  Evening,  August  loth,  1872. 

'  Owing  to  a  previous  engagement  of  the  Master 

'of  the  National  Grange,  which  was  overlooked  at 

the  adjournment  of  the  last  meeting,  the  session  for 

this  evening  was,  hy  agreement,  postponed  without 

date.  0.  H.  K,  Sec'y. 

A  few  days  after.  Brother  J.  E.  called,  and  I 
gave  him  my  cash  hook  to  examine,  preparatory  to 
making  a  settlement  with  my  office,  as  required  hy 
our  vote  in  January. 

The  news  from  Brother  Abhott,  in  Wisconsin, 
began  to  assume  a  more  cheerful  appearance,  while 
South  Carolina,  Iowa  and  Mississippi,  were  keeping 
matters  lively.  The  work  in  those  States  being 
heralded  all  over  the  country,  even  Canada  put  in 
appearance  with  its  First  Grange,  organized  by 
Eben  Thompson,  August  16th,  of  which  the  follow- 
ins:  is  the  list  of  Charter  members: 

Albert  P.  Ball,  W.  S.  Huntek, 

George  Bachelder,  George  Russell, 

D.  A.  Mansur,  L.  E.  Eobinsox, 

M.  A.  ISToYES,  J.  G.  Field, 

Albert  Clark,  Mrs.  Mary  L.  Ball, 

Mrs.  G.  L.  Russell,  Mrs.  W.  S.  Hunter, 

Mrs.  D.  a.  Mansur,  Mrs.  E.  A.  Bachelder, 

Mrs.  L.  R.  Robinson,  Miss  Mary  A.  Field, 

Miss  L.  Clark. 


Victory  Through  Pcrscvtrance.  jgg 

Brother  Adams  wrote  me  from  "Waukon,  Iowa, 
August  14tli: 

Concerning  the  initiation  fee  mentioned  in  that  old  letter,  I 
have  to  say  $5  and  $2  is  little  enough,  and  we,  even  in  this  State, 
get  all  the  members  we  want  at  that  rate,  and  we  do  not  wiint  a, 
member  who  does  not  take  five  dollars  interest  in  the  institution, 
lie  would  be  a  source  of  weakness  father  than  strength.  *  *  * 
I  fully  agree  with  what  you  say  about  the  election  of  officers, 
viz.:  That  they  should  not  be  government  officials,  but  should 
be  farmers ;  even  if  the  first  should  be  as  efficient,  the  moral 
effect  is  very  bad,  and  I  am  often  called  upon  to  explain  why  the 
present  state  of  affairs  exists. "        *        *        * 

The  following,  from  Brother  D.  R.  Curtiss,  shows 
he  was  again  at  work  in  Ohio : 

Logan,  Hocking  County,  Ohio,  | 
August  22d,  1872.         > 
Brother  Kelley  : 

Enclosed  find  money  order  for  $15,  as  fee  for  Dispensation 

for   "Starr  Grange,"   organized   by   me  last  night.     I  had  a 

pleasant,  smooth  time  in  the  initiation  and  organization,  though 

I  had  hard  work  in  getting  it  up,  having  made  addresses  to 

them,  at  three  different  meetings,  in  school  houses.  I  have  spoken 

almost  every  night  since  coming  here,  in  some  township,  and 

sometimes  twice  a  day.     There  are  some  efforts  making,  and 

some  prospect  of  more   Granges  in  this  county ;   also  in  the 

adjoining  counties  of  Athens,  and  Vinton,  and  Perry,  but  not 

sure  :  shall  do  my  best.     Had  large  meeting  here  in  the  Court 

House  last  Saturday,  and  made  my  best  speech— best  I  could 

do.     Brother  W.  Stiers,  of  "Logan  Grange,"  is  an  excellent, 

earnest  Patron,  and  has  worked  hard  and  helped  me  very  much. 

He  has  a  large  form,  and  is  a  man  of  considerable  influence.  *  * 


^00  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

I  shall  probably  go  to  McArthur,  county  seat  of  Vinton,  on 
Saturday  next ;  they  want  a  meeting,  and  say  they  will  carry 
me  over  on  that  day,  but  we  shall  see.  Write  me  at  this  place, 
Logan,  Hocking  County,  Ohio. 

Fraternally  yours,        D.  S.  Curtiss. 

Executive   Committee   Meeting, 

Thursday  Eveyiing,  August  29(h,  1872. 
Present,  Brothers  Saunders,  J.  R.  Thompson,  and 
Kelley.  We  adopted  a  form  for  the  revocation  of 
Charters,  and  considered  suggestions  made  in  seve- 
ral letters  submitted.  ISTo  business  of  vital  import- 
ance transacted. 

Adjourned  to  meet  Thursday  evening,  Septem- 
ber 5th.  O.  II.  K.,  Sec'y. 

About  this  time  my  family  had  decided  to  change 
our  quarters  for  more  genial  accommodations,  and 
I  leased  a  house  in  Georgetown,  D.  C,  to  which  we 
moved  on  the  first  of  September. 

"We  closed  August  with  seventy-nine  new  Granges. 

I  find  recorded 

Executive  Committee, 

September  6th. 
Brother  J.   R.   Thompson  having  other  engage- 
ments,   could  not  be  present,  and    upon  notifying 
Brother   Saunders,   the   meeting  for  this   evening 
was  indefinitely  postponed.  O.  H.  K.,  Sec'y. 

There  was  but  little  of  particular  interest  trans- 
pired during  September.     Our  change  of  residence 


Victor}'  Through  Perseverance.  /for 

was  a  decided  improvement,  and  was  not  made  a 

day  too  early,  as  the  increase  of  work  soon  evinced. 

During  the  month  we  added  seventy-nine  Granges, 

and  materially  increased  our  working  force  in  the 

different  States. 

Brother  J.  T.  Miller,  who  had  done  good  work 

in  Iowa,  asked  for  and  received  a  commission  from 

me  to  organize  a  few  Granges  in  Ohio,  where  he 

intended  to  make  a  visit.     The  result  was  a  grand 

success,  as  he  organized  two  Granges  and  enlisted 

Brother   S.  H.  Ellis,   who,   within   a  few  months 

after,  had  organized  fifty-four  Subordinate  Granges, 

and  been  himself  elected  Master  of  the  State  Grange 

of  Ohio. 

Executive  Committee. 

Called  meeting  at  Brother  Saunders'  office,  Tues- 
day P.  M.,  2.30,  October  1st. 

Present,  Brothers  Saunders,  Thompson,  Grosh 
and  Kelley.  The  location  of  the  Secretary's  office 
was  brought  up  by  Brother  Saunders.  He  was  of 
the  opinion  that  it  should  be  "located,"  and  not 
fallowed  to  "travel  around  the  countr3\"  I  looked 
Into  the  Constitution  for  something  to  anchor  to, 
and  came  to  the  conclusion  that  as  I  took  it  to 
Minnesota  and  brought  it,  of  my  own  accord,  to  the 
District,  I  would  keep  it  where  it  was  most  conve- 
nient to  me  until  the  National  Grange  was  perma- 
nently organized,  and  the  business  would  warrant 
the  expense  of  a  separate  building ;  but  to  accommo- 
2G 


/J.02  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

date  the  others  I  would  meet  with  them  regularly 
at  his  office.  It  was  agreed  that  we  meet  every 
alternate  Tuesday  afternoon,  at  2  o'clock.  As  re- 
quested, I  brought  over  my  cash  book  and  vouchers 
for  examination.  They  were  too  numerous  to  exam- 
ine at  that  meeting,  and  at  my  suggestion,  it  was 

Resolved,  That  the  Treasurer,  Brother  J.  R.  Thompson,  should, 
without  unnecessary  delay,  examine  all  the  accounts  of  the  Sec- 
retary with  him  at  his  office,  and  make  a  full  and  complete  state- 
ment of  the  same  in  writing. 

It  was  further 

Besolved,  That  the  Treasurer  should  receive  sufficient  remu- 
neration for  this  particular  service, 

"We  adjourned  at  4  P.  M.  to  meet  on  the  14th,  at 
same  hour  and  place.  0.  H.  K.,  Sec'y. 

As  a  Committee,  we  never  met  again. 

The  First  Grange  in  Georgia,  Valdosta,  !N"o.  1, 
was  organized  by  Mitchell  Jones.  The  application 
was  received  October  2d,  with  the  following  names : 

Mitchell  Jones,  Joseph  Perry, 

H.  M.  CoACHMAJsr,  R.  Y.  Lane, 

J.  C.  Jones,  "Wm.  Zeigler, 

Geo.  E.  McRee,  R.  Young, 

J.   "W.    StATEN,  J.   C.    WlSENBAKER. 

I  issued  notices,  as  requested  by  Colonels  Aiken 
and  Jacques,  summoning  the  Masters  of  Subordi- 
nate Granges  in  South  Carolina  to  meet  at  Columbia 
on  the  9th  instant,  to  organize  the  State  Grange, 
which  meeting  was  a  magnificent  success,  there  be- 


Victory  Tlirough  Perseverance.  /foj 

ing  seventy-two  Subordinate  Granges  rei)resentecl. 
Thomas  Taylor  was  elected  Master,  and  1).  AV'yiitt 
Aiken,  Secretary. 

Trom  Columbia  I  went  with  my  daughter  to 
Charleston,  making  a  short  stay,  and  hastened  back 
to  be  at  the  Executive  Committee  meeting  to  be 
held  on  the  14th. 

I  was  prompt  to  the  minute  at  Brother  Saunders' 
office,  but  the  door  was  locked.  I  inquired  of  the 
foreman  of  the  garden,  and  he  informed  me  where 
the  Chairman  w^as,  yet  Brothers  Grosh  and  Thomp- 
son were  not  about.  They  told  me  afterwards  they 
had  forgotten  the  appointment.  I  waited  for  nearly 
an  hour,  but  no  one  put  in  an  appearance.  I  began 
to  review  the  condition  of  affiiirs  with  much  seri- 
ousness as  to  my  position.  In  our  letters  to  corres- 
pondents we  had  said  much  about  "Our  Executive 
Committee,"  and  yet  it  was  impossible  to  get  a 
meeting  without  sending  special  invitations.  As  to 
the  work  we  were  doing  in  our  office,  they  did  not 
take  interest  enough  in  it  to  even  call  upon  us  vol- 
untarily. 

I  did  not  have  very  much  time  to  spare  in  be- 
wailing the  situation.  I  looked  upon  the  army  of 
active  Deputies  at  work — the  hundreds  of  Subor- 
dinate Granges  being  organized — the  eight  State 
Grano-es  in  existence — and  the  thousands  of  noble 


^Oj^  Patjvns  of  Hiisba7idfy. 

men  and  women  already  members  of  the  Order,  and 
daily  increasing;  and  of  these,  hundreds  of  whom  I 
had  met  personally,  "the  Executive  Committee" 
had  no  knowledge  whatever.  It  was  for  the  inter- 
est of  the  living  members  I  was  laboring  and  striv- 
ing so  earnestly,  and  to  them  I  should  hereafter 
entirely  look. 

It  was  a  little  singular,  after  five  years'  hard  labor, 
and  just  as  these  were  being  crowned  with  such  a 
magnificent  success,  that  my  early  associates  in  the 
work  should  drop  off"  and  leave  me  alone  in  my 
glory! 

Ireland  had  resigned;  I  had  not  heard  from  Bart- 
lett  for  a  year;  McDowell  had  been  silent  for 
months;  I  had  not  seen  Trimble  for  nearly  a  year; 
Grosh  had  made  but  few  calls,  and  Brother  Saun- 
ders had  expressed  a  determination  to  drop  the 
Order  completely.  That  day  settled  matters  so  far 
as  I  was  concerned. 

The  time  spent  reviewing  things  was  not  lost, 
for  I  left  with  a  resolution  to  run  until  the  annual 
meeting,  free  and  independent,  and  instead  of  issuing 
Dispensations,  signed  by  the  Master,  stopped  at  the 
printers  on  my  way  home,  and  left  the  following 
form,  which  was  used  by  us  until  the  new  Master 
was  elected : 


Vicioty  Through  Perseverance.  ^05 


National  Grange 

OK   THE 

PATRONS  OF  HUSBANDRY. 


Washington,  D.  C 187 

Master  of Grange,  No 


Tour  application  for  a  Dispensation  lias  been  received, 
and  the  same  will  be  sent  you  by  mail  in  due  time. 

I  herewith  send  j'ou  all  necessary  documents  for  Avork  in  j'our 
Grange,  and  you  will  proceed  with  the  same  without  waiting  for 
your  Dispensation.  O.  H.  Kelley, 

Secretary  of  the  National  Grange. 

Early  in  October,  Miss  Hall  introduced  her  song 
book,  witli  words  set  to  music,  -wliicli,  thougli  a 
small  beginning,  was  soon  after  increased  to  its 
present  size. 

The  labors  of  Brother  J.  C.  Abbott  in  "Wisconsin 
resulted  in  building  up  a  goodly  number  of  Subor- 
dinate Granges,  and  reorganizing  the  State  Grange 
on  the  22d  instant.     His  letter  says : 

Portage  City,  Wisconsin,  ) 
October  2Uh,  187!i.      ) 
Brother  Kelley: 

The  meeting  of  the  Wisconsin  State  Grange  has  been  a 

grand  success,   eclipsing  all    our  most  sanguine  expectations. 

The  weather  delightful,  attendance  large,  enthusiasm  great,  and 

results  perfectly  satisfactory.     Every  one  of  my  new  Granges 


^o6  Patrons  cf  Husbandly. 

was  represented,  and  seven  of  the  old  ones — forty -five  delegates 
in  all. 

Several  of  the  old  State  otRcers  attended,  and  very  gracefully 
accepted  the  situation,  by  tendering  their  resignations.  I  felt 
anxious  to  obtain  this  result,  that  all  might  pass  off  harmoni- 
ously. *  *  *  Tiie  laws  of  the  State  Grange  of 
Mississippi  were  adopted  almost  entire.  Colonel  John  Cochrane," 
of  Dodge  County,  is  Master.  He  is  a  noble  man,  about  fifty 
years  old  ;  intelligent,  modest,  and  wealthy  :  a  practical  farmer, 
and  stands  high  at  home.  He  will  meet  with  us  in  Washington. 
*        *        *  J.  C.  Abbott. 

Pleased  witli  the  success  of  all  the  work  he  had 
thus  far  undertaken,  I  advised  Brother  Abbott  to 
enter  Michigan,  and  work  until  our  Annual  Meeting. 

From  all  quarters  we  were  receiving  encouraging 
letters;  some  of  them  amusing,  as,  for  instance,  the 
following  from  Brother  Wm.  Paist,  Secretary  of 
the  State  Grange  of  Minnesota: 

St.  Paul,  October  22(Z,  1872. 
Dear   Kelley  : 

*  *  *  I  will  attend  if  I  can.  Brother  T.  A. 
will  be  with  you  anyhow,  and  help  you  get  the  National  Grange 
started  right.  You  do  not  know  what  your  efforts  will  accom- 
plish in  the  next  ten  years.  Judge  Underwood  said,  in  a  speech 
before  North  Star  Grange,  a  few  days  since,  "  Your  name  would 
be  handed  down  to  generations  to  come,  as  the  founder  of  the 
greatest  Secret  Order  on  this  earth  ;"  and,  Brother  Kelley,  while 
we  award  to  you  the  originality  of  the  thought  and  labor  of  per- 
fecting and  introducing  it,  ice— North  Star  Grange— claim  to 
be  the  first  among  your  friends  to  adopt  it  as  our  rule  and  guide 


Victoiy  Throjtgh  Perseverance.  ^07 

through  life,  and  I  now  say,  that  as  a  Grange,  wc  are  a  success. 
Since  j^ou  organized  us,  wc  have  never  missed  a  meeting,  or 
failed  to  banquet  once  a  month,  and  last  Saturday  paid  our  last 
dollar  of  indebtedness  of  the  one  thousand  dollars  for  fitting  up 
our  hall.        *:      *      *        Fraternally  yours,        Wm.  Paist. 

Ninety-one  new  Granges  closed  our  work  for  the 
month  of  October. 

NOVEMBEK. 

To  be  sure  of  securing  a  full  attendance  at  the 
Annual  Meeting  in  January,  I  commenced  early  in 
the  month  writing  to  the  State  Masters,  and  those 
holding  commissions  as  General  Deputies.  I  was 
determined  to  see  the  National  branch  permanently 
organized.  I  knew  personally  the  majority  of  those 
I  wrote  to,  and  soon  after  their  replies  informed  me 
how  many  would  be  present,  I  made  arrangements 
for  their  accommodation  at  the  Union  Hotel  in 
Georgetown. 

The  invitations  were  as  follows : 

Col.  D.  a.  Robertson,  St.  Paul,  Minnesota: 
Dear  Sir  and  Brother  : 

The  Annual  Meeting  of  the  National  Grange 
will  be  held  in  this  city,  "Wednesday,  January  8th,  1873.  As 
there  -will  be  very  important  business,  as  -well  as  a  full  election 
of  officers,  you  are  urgently  requested  to  be  present. 

Please  notify  me  if  you  will  attend,  that  arrangements  can  be 
made  for  hotel  accommodations.  I  suggest  that  prior  to  your 
leaving   home,  you   make  up  a  box   of  samples  of  this  year's 


/}.o8  Patrons  of  Husbandfy. 

staple  articles,  grown  in  your  State ;  let  them  be  good,  but  not 
the  extreme  of  growth.  Have  the  box  not  to  exceed  seventy- 
five  pounds,  and  forward  to  me  by  Express  paid  here.  A  show- 
ing of  this  Ivind  at  a  meeting  of  the  National  Grange,  will  be 
interesting  and  valuable.    Yours  fraternally,     O.  H.  Kelley. 

Learning  by  tlie  papers  that  Mr.  Bryan  liad 
returned  to  tlie  city  for  the  winter,  my  wife  re- 
minded me  that  the  treasury  would  now  warrant 
the  payment  of  the  loan  received  in  February,  1871. 
I  immediately  dropped  him  a  note,  in  which  I  told 
him  of  our  splendid  success,  and  my  desire  to  refund 
the  sum  of  $184  he  so  kindly  loaned  us,  and  re- 
quested him  to  state  if  I  should  deposit  it  to  his 
order  at  the  banking  house  of  Riggs  &  Co.,  or  pay 
him  in  person.  His  reply  on  the  13th  of  November 
stated  that  he  had  determined,  under  no  considera- 
tion whatever  to  ask  me  for  it,  but  as  I  had  otfered 
to  repay  it,  he  would  receive  it  either  at  bank  or  in 
person.  An  hour  after  receiving  the  letter,  I  rang 
his  door  bell,  and  had  the  pleasure  of  meeting  with 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bryan,  and  paid  the  money.  I  gave 
them  some  information  in  regard  to  the  rapid  growth 
of  the  Order,  and  our  anticipated  meeting  on  Janu- 
ary 8th.  "When  about  to  leave,  they  expressed  an 
earnest  desire  to  entertain  the  members  of  the  !N"a- 
tional  Grange  one  evening  during  the  session,  and 
I  promised  to  give  them  timely  notice. 


Victoiy  Throngh  Perseverance.  ^og 

Judge  Jones,  of  Arkiinsas,  wrote  Kovember  9th, 

1872: 

"  We  have  just  closed  our  Agricultural  Fair  here,  which 
afForded  me  an  opportunity  of  presenting  the  claims  of  our 
Order  to  the  most  prominent  citizens  of  this  and  adjoining 
counties.  I  am  greatly  encouraged  by  the  warm  favor  which  it 
meets,  and  the  desire  to  have  Granges  established  in  many 
neighborhoods.  My  heart  is  in  this  work,  and  with  health  and 
strength  vouchsafed  to  me,  I  intend  to  labor  for  its  advance- 
ment." 

General  Wilson,  of  Iowa,  wrote  November  IStli : 

My  Dear  Kelley  : 

I  have  just  received  your  commissions  and  instructions  to 
open  State  Granges  in  Missouri  and  Kansas.  Brother  Allen,  of 
Missouri,  urges  delay.  I  shall  open  Kansas  State  Grange  about 
the  4th  of  December,  but  prefer  the  28th  of  November.  The 
Deputies  there  are  to  select  the  place  and  write  me  at  Lawrence. 
I  have  just  accepted  an  invitation  from  the  State  Grange  of 
"Wisconsin,  to  address  a  mass  meetipg  at  Ripon." 

General  Vauglian,  of  Mississippi,  wrote: 

"I  will  nse  my  utmost  endeavor  to  attend  the  meeting  of  the 
National  Grange  in  January.  Will  try  to  come  on  several  days 
before  our  meeting,  so  as  to  confer  with  you  on  matters  and 
things  pertaining  to  the  Order.  When  we  meet,  we  can  talk 
over  our  matter  fully." 

In  Iowa,  J.  D.  Wliitman,  who  bad  charge  of  the 
State  business  agency,  was  using  his  utmost  endea- 
.vors  to  brins:  that  feature  of  the  Order  to  a  success, 


4-IO  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

and  all  otlier  movements  in  Iowa  were  being  closely 
scrutinized  by  both  friend  and  foe. 

Brother  E.  R.  Sliankland,  the  Chairman  of  the 
State  Executive  Committee,  was  also  making  him- 
self popular  as  a  leader  in  the  Order. 

Brother  Colton,  Master  of  State  Grange  of  Ver- 
mont, wrote  me,  iN'ovember  18th : 

*'  Shall  call  a  meeting  of  State  Grange  next  month,  after  which 
■will  inform  you  in  relation  to  attending.  We  must  contrive 
some  way  to  be  represented  at  the  session  of  the  National 
Grange." 

Brother  "W.  "W.  Corbett  wrote  November  23d : 

*  "It  does  not  now  look  as  if  it  would  be  possible  for  me  to 
attend.  *  *  *  Glad  to  hear  of  the  continued  success 
of  the  Order.  It  does  truly  look  encouraging,  and  must  espe- 
cially look  so  to  you,  who  have  been  waiting  so  long  for  the 
flood-tide." 

From  R.  D.  Powell : 

Columbus,  Miss.,  October  28t7i,  1873. 
Dear  Brother  Kellet  : 

I  received  your  favor  yesterday,  and  thank  you  for  the 

honor  conferred  in  making  me  the  first   General   Deputy   of 

Alabama,  which  makes  me  a  member  of  the  National  Grange. 

God  willing,  I  will  try  and  be  with  you  in  January.      *      *      * 

Yours  fraternally,  R.  D.  Powell. 

N'ovember  proved  a  good  month  for  Granges. 
We  issued  one   hundred   and   nine   Dispensations, 


•Ill 


E.    R.    SHANKLAND. 


Vic/oiy   Tlii\>i(gh  Perseverance.  4.1 1 

and  received  about  $350  for  State  Grange  dues. 
We  had  good  cause  to  be  somewhat  ehitcd,  feeling 
the  necessity  of  having  some  show  of  an  organiza- 
tion to  greet  the  new  members. 

I  made  a  short  visit  to  New  York  city,  and  inter- 
viewed several  wholesale  dealers  in  dry  goods  and 
groceries;  also  two  Presidents  of  Sewing  Machine 
Companies,  to  learn  what  could  be  done  in  the  way 
of  direct  trade  with  our  Granges.  This  and  much 
other  valuable  information,  I  proposed  to  make 
known  at  the  January  meeting. 

The  following  from  Colonel  Robertson  increased 
my  stature  considerably,  (figuratively  speaking) : 

St.  Paul,  Minn.,  December  5th,  1872. 
My  Deab  Kelley  : 

With  heartfelt  delight,  I  congratulate  you  upon  the  won- 
derful success  which  has  rewarded  your  sacrifices  and  labors,  to 
organize  and  establish  throughout  the  United  States  the  Order  of 
the  Patrons  of  Husbandry,  which,  I  believe,  is  destined  to 
become  the  most  beneficent  and  useful  secular  institution  in  our 
country.  I  do  not  believe  that  you  can  estimate  the  value  of 
your  labors,  for  you  are  the  actual  Founder  of  this  Institution. 
Had  you  not  worked  for  its  success  as  you  did,  under  every  dis- 
couragement, the  Order  would  not  exist.  I  must  say  that  I 
consider  it  a  great  honor,  of  which  my  children  will  have  cause 
to  be  proud,  when  I  am  no  longer  with  them,  that  I  was  one  of 
the  pioneer  members  of  the  Patrons  of  Husbandry,  and  for  this 
I  am  solely  indebted  to  you.        *        *        *        * 

Yours  fraternally,         D.  A.  Robertson. 


4-12  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

From  D.  W.  Adams : 

Waukon,  December  Qth,  1872. 
Brother  Kelley  : 

*       *       *        Will  you  be  able  to  meet  our  State  Grange 

in  Des  Moines  on  the  fourth  Tuesday  in  January  ?    If  so,  I  will 

undertake  to  show  you  the  biggest  collection  of  your  "  children  " 

you  ever  saw  together ;  in  short,  it  will  be  such  a  gathering  of 

the  picked  Agriculturists  of  the  West  as  was  never  before  seen 

together.     I  tremble  for  my  ability  to  preside  over  such  a  body, 

for  it  will  be  the  most  unwieldy  legislative  body  of  men  ever 

convened  for  legislative  purposes.     Only  think  of  five  hundred 

to  seven  hundred  farmers,  wholly  unused  to  parliamentary  law, 

convened  under  one  roof,  and  expected  to  do  more  work  in  one 

week  than  a  State  Legislature  would  attempt  in  three  months  ! 

Yours  truly,  Dudley  W.  Adams. 

On  the  9th,  we  received  report  from  General 
"Wilson  of  the  organization  of  the  State  Grange 
OF  Kansas,  with  F.  11.  Dumbauld,  Master,  and  G. 
"W.  Spurgeon,  Secretary.  By  vote  of  the  Grange, 
General  Wilson  was  elected  to  represent  the  State 
at  the  coming  session. 

Brother  Allen  wrote  December  27th : 

"  The  farmers  are  now  ripe  for  organization, — the  iron  is  red 
hot.  *  *  *  The  manner  in  which  I  was  received  in 
Central  Missouri  was  indeed  flattering  and  cheering.  I  went 
there  with  fear  and  trembling  ;  I  came  away  feeling  that  I  was 
appreciated,  and  that  success  was  not  only  possible,  but  with 
proper  effort,  assured.  *  *  *  i  find  you  are  correct, 
"^he  way  to  organize  Granges  is  to  go  right  among  the  formers 
and  talk  to  them,  answer  their  questions,  meet  and  remove  their 


Victory  Through  Perseverance.  ^ij 

objections,  and  show  them  how  they  can  he.  benefited.  Yon 
may  sit  at  home,  answer  letters,  send  documents  and  blanks,  and 
tell  them  you  will  come  and  organize  them  when  they  are  ready, 
but  in  nine  cases  out  of  ten  they  will  never  get  ready.  But  go 
among  them,  make  them  a  plain  earnest  speech,  and  they  Avill 
not  let  you  go  away  without  organization." 

We  closed  December  Avitli  one  liuudrcd  and 
twenty  new  Granges,  making  one  thousand  and 
seventy-four  which  had  paid  for  Dispensations,  and 
a  total  for  the  year  of  one  thousand  one  hundred 
and  five.  IVe  had  been  so  anxious  to  extend  the 
Order,  a  degree  of  liberality  was  shown  if  the 
money  did  not  always  accompany  the  application. 

It  may  be  presumed  the  close  of  the  year  found 
all  of  my  family  in  fine  spirits.  Our  united  efforts 
for  five  years,  the  hard  labor,  and  the  many  priva- 
tions, were  being  rewarded  by  success. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

PERMANENT    ORGANIZATION. 

ERANGEMENTS  at  our  home  and  the  hotel 
v^  were  completed  for  the  entertainment  of  the 
members  expected  to  take  part  in  the  permanent 
organization  of  the  National  Grange.  Letters  re- 
ceived promised  an  attendance  of  about  thirty  per- 
sons. These  comprised  actual  Masters  of  State 
Granges  and  General  Deputies,  my  old  Associates, 
and  a  few  others  who  had  taken  active  part  in 
building  up  the  Order.  As  early  as  the  fourth, 
some  arrived,  and  by  Monday  evening  seventeen 
were  registered,  representing  eleven  States. 

It  will  be  remembered  that  the  last  friend  spoKen 
to'on  leaving  "Washington  the  3d  day  of  April, 
1868,  was  Dr.  Trimble,  who,  on  parting,  remarked: 
"Kelley,  from  my  heart  I  wish  you  success,  and  I 
firmly  believe  you  will  have  it."  It  is  a  singular 
coincidence  that  the  very  last  reply  from  any  of 
those  to  whom  I  had  sent  invitations  to  be  at  this 

414 


Pannancnt  Organization.  ///j 

meeting,   sliould    also   l)c    from    the   Docfor.      lie 
wrote  me  as  follows: 

Brotiiek  Kelley  : 

Yours  of  the  4th  instant,  notifying  me  of  the  Annual 
Meeting  of  the  National  Grange,  is  received. 

Familiar  as  you  know  I  was  with  the  history  of  tlie  Institution 
in  its  days  of  small  things,  when  you  struggled  almost  solitary 
and  alone,  in  your  unselfish  efforts  to  elevate  Husbandry,  and  to 
promote  the  social  and  mental  interests  of  the  ftxrmcr  ;  after- 
wards familiar,  by  public  report,  with  the  rapid  growth  and 
success  of  the  Order  (I  regret  to  say  I  was  merely  a  looker-on, 
and  considerably  skeptic),  your  statement  that  "a  full  repre- 
sentation from  fifteen  States  will  be  present,"  while  it  is  most 
agreeable,  yet  I  confess  it  is  a  very  great  surprise  to  me. 

That  the  Order  deserved  public  confidence  and  success,  I  never 
doubted  ;  but  in  the  countless  organizations  yearly  springing  into 
existence,  and  in  the  culpable  but  deep-seated  indifference  of  the 
people  to  the  interests  of  the  farmer,  I  tliought  the  difficulties, 
too  great. 

You,  personally,  Mr.  Secretary,  deserve  high  praise,  and  this 
letter  is  due  to  you  from  once  a  doubter,  but  now  a  believer,  in 
the  success  of  the  Patrons  of  Husbandry.  It  will  afford  me 
pleasure  to  be  present  at  the  meeting. 

Yours  fraternally,        John  Trimble,  Jr. 

With  tliis  meeting  the  work  of  my  assistant  and 
myself  virtually  closed.  We  passed  the  temporary 
organization  over  to  the  incorporated  body,  and  in 
so  doing  had  the  satisfaction  of  knowing  it  was 
free  of  debt,  except  what  was  owning  to  ourselves, 


^i6  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

and  cash  enough  on  hand  to  defray  the  general 
expenses  of  the  session.  To  us  it  was  a  source  of 
great  satisfaction  to  be  able  to  do  this,  and  to  have 
the  pleasure  and  honor  of  bringing  together  those 
composing  this  National  Grange.  They  all  labored 
faithfully  during  the  four  days'  session.  The  prin- 
cipal work  done,  however,  was  to  cut  up  the  old 
Constitution  and  adopt  a  new. 

"While  perfecting  our  programme  for  the  session 
with  Brother  Adams,  Brother  J.  R.  Thompson 
called,  and  on  ascertaining  that  Brother  Saunders 
had  declined  to  attend,  it  woukl  leave  us  without  a 
presiding  officer,  he  insisted  that  it  was  due  to  the 
new  members  he  should  be  present,  and  took  it 
upon  himself  to  call  upon  Brother  Saunders.  Had 
Brother  Thompson  omitted  to  do  this,  we  should 
have  been  deprived  of  valuable  counsel  on  this 
memorable  occasion,  and  lost  the  fine  opening  ad- 
dress delivered  by  Past-Master  Saunders,  which  I 
copy  verbatim: 


Brother  "William  Saunders'  Address  at  Georgetown 
ON  Opening  the  Sixth  Annual  Session. 

It  is  altogether  unnecessary  for  me  to  enter  into  any  detaile'l 
explanation  of  the  objects  and  aims  of  the  Patrons  of  Hus- 
bandry ;  these  you  are  familiar  with  ;  but  I  believe  that  you  are 
not  so  familiar  with  tlie  history  of  the  National  Grange — its 


Pcrjuancnt  Organization.  ^ly 

tribulations,  its  embarrassments,  its  shortcomings,  and  its  present 
position. 

It  is  a  little  over  five  years  since  the  idea  of  this  Organization 
■was  conceived.  At  first  its  inception  was  crude,  and  seemed 
vague  and  visionary ;  something  tliat  we  fondly  wished,  but 
scarcely  hoped  to  see ;  but  as  suggestions  crowded,  the  idea 
expanded,  doubtful  points  vanished,  and  apparent  obstacles 
melted  into  obscurity.  After  things  looked  clear  and  the  course 
unobstructed  to  those  who  had  been  cogitating  on  the  subject,  it 
was  resolved  to  invite  opinions  from  friends  in  whose  judgment 
confidence  could  be  placed,  A  short  address  was  printed  and 
circulated,  which  brought  rejoinders  in  the  main  encouraging. 

Some  further  action  had  to  be  taken, — a  practical  beginning 
had  to  be  made.  A  scheme  of  organization  was  devised,  a  form 
of  Constitution  was  carefully  drawn  up  ;  then  a  form  of  Ritual 
had  to  be  prepared.  This  involved  a  vast  amount  of  writing, 
much  correspondence.  Many,  very  many,  rejected  addresses 
were  thrown  aside,  as  too  long,  too  prosy,  too  flowery,  or  other- 
wise unsuitable.  The  committee  in  charge  had  their  construc- 
tive and  literary  qualifications  severely  taxed.  AVhen  I  look 
back  to  that  period  in  our  history,  I  am  convinced  that  we  bored 
each  other  most  unmercifully.  I  think  I  may  safely  venture  the 
remark,  that  the  greater  portion  of  the  Eitual,  and  nearly  all 
the  circular  addresses,  were  prepared  in  fits  of  desperation  to 
get  rid  of  each  other  for  the  time  being,  for  all  of  those  engaged 
had  pressing  daily  duties  to  perform,  which  afforded  but  little 
time  for  other  lal.ors. 

It  was,  however,  in  course  of  time,  brought  to  a  finish,  such 
as  it  was ;  and  in  accordance  with  the  plan  of  organization, 
officers  were  selected  from  those  who  had  given  hearty  encour- 
agement and  tangible  assistance  in  the  work  ;  and  in  order  to 
give  intimation  of  a  wide  scope  to  the  instituticm,  these  were 

-i 


^i8  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

selected  from  different  States.  It  was  desired  from  the  start 
that  its  extension  should  be  as  wide  as  the  Continent.  Whatever 
other  institutions  might  be,  in  this,  at  least,  there  should  be  no 
North,  no  South,  no  East,  no  West,  but  its  benefits  and  privi- 
leges should  reach  all  who  desired  to  profit  by  them.  This  was 
a  principal  fundamental  feature. 

The  next  question  was  its  introduction  to  the  public,  and  here 
real  trouble  began.  We  had  no  money.  Like  boys  who  hoard 
up  their  pennies  for  a  holiday  disbursement,  we  had  saved  our 
spare  cash  to  pay  the  printer,  and  to  purchase  postage  stamps. 
Thousands  of  circulars  had  been  mailed,  an  edition  of  the  Ritual 
printed,  forms  of  application.  Deputies'  circulars,  etc.,  had  been 
prepared  and  paid  for  as  best  we  could ;  but  now  the  crushing 
effect  of  poverty  was  vividly  apparent. 

After  much  cogitating,  the  Secretary,  Cwhose  faith  in  the 
ultimate  success  of  the  Order  has  fortunately  never  failed) 
resolved  to  throw  aside  all  other  business,  and  devote  his  time 
exclusively  to  its  interest  and  extension.  This  was  a  bold  step, 
and  one  that  required  the  possession  of  such  faith  as  removes 
mountains.  He  started  on  his  mission,  and  his  progress  was 
watched  as  one  would  watch  the  execution  of  a  feat  of  improba- 
ble accomplishment.  He  was  soon  heard  from,  however. 
Granges  were  being  organized,  and  almost  immediately  falling 
into  a  dormant  condition.  Little  assistance  could  be  given  by 
the  National  Grange.  He  worked  almost  alone,  as  fiir  as  we 
were  concerned ;  in  any  event,  we  could  do  but  little,  and  we 
did  it.  Suffice  it  to  say,  that  at  the  following  meeting  of  the 
National  Grange  he  was  promptly  on  hand  with  his  report, 
which  proved  to  be  but  faintly  encouraging. 

Like  all  progressive  movements,  this  met  with  many  rebuffs, 
and  sometimes  from  sources  least  expected,  and  without  tJic 
sliglitcst  knowledge  of  what  the  Order  meant,  what  its  aims 


Permanent  Organization.  ^iq 

were,  or  tlie  proposed  methods  by  whicU  they  were  to  bo 
realized.  But  we  knew  the  solidity  of  our  foundation,  and  the 
principles  underlying  onr  motives;  these  we  knew  could  not 
successfully  be  impugned.  Doubters  who  would  not  be  enlight- 
ened, enjoyed  their  opinions,  and  the  good  work  went  slowly  on. 

As  months  wore  round,  the  dawn  of  brighter  results  became 
apparent ;  but  at  every  point  our  progress  was  retarded  for  want 
of  funds.  The  demand  for  printed  documents  concerning  the 
Order  was  constantly  increasing,  and  it  was  important  tliat  it 
should  be  met.  Again,  opportunities  for  organizing  Granges  in 
distant  localities  were  lost,  owing  to  the  inability  of  the  National 
Grange  to  defray  necessary  expenses.  This  also  had  its  influ- 
ence in  retarding  the  spread  of  the  Order. 

During  the  year  1871,  the  Order  made  rapid  progress.  The 
necessities  of  the  times  seemed  to  require  just  such  an  organiza- 
tion, and  able  and  energetic  men  and  women  entered  into  the 
work  with  vigor.  At  the  last  meeting  of  the  National  Grange, 
our  worthy  brother,  the  Master  of  the  State  Grange  of  Iowa, 
cheered  us  by  his  presence,  and  helped  us  greatly  with  his 
counsel.  This  is  noteworthy,  as  being,  up  to  that  time,  the  only 
accession  to  the  members  of  the  National  Grange. 

I  will  not  at  present  detain  you  with  the  history  of  the  Order 
during  the  past  year.  That  it  has  flourished  and  increased,  such 
as  no  similar  institution,  at  least  of  modern  times,  can  afford  a 
parallel,  is  fully  proven  by  your  presence  here  to-day. 

It  also  proves  the  wisdom  that  fixed  the  term  of  service  of  the 
Officers  of  the  National  Grange,  for  it  is  only  now,  at  the  expi- 
ration of  their  term  of  service,  that  the  Grange,  for  the  first 
time,  has  the  means  to  make  a  change  of  its  officers. 

I  will  now  allude,  for  a  moment,  to  some  of  the  duties  of  the 
National  Grange.  I  conceive  that  its  main  duties  are  :  1st.  To 
collect  information :  and  2d.  To  disseminate  it.  Thus,  it  is 
simply  an  agency.     And  yet  it  is  more  ;  communicating,  as  it 


^20  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

does,  with  tlie  -whole  Order,  it  is  enabled  to  judge  the  value  of 
measures  calculated  to  be  to  the  best  interest  of  the  whole ;  and 
thus  it  should  be  creative  as  well  as  administrative.  Above  all 
things,  it  must  avoid  responsibilities  that  legitimately  belong  to 
State  or  Subordinate  Granges.  It  should  endeavor  to  inculcate 
principles  of  action  that  are  gejierally  applicable,  rather  than 
enter  into  executive  details,  which  must,  of  necessity,  vary 
according  to  special  circumstances. 

To  facilitate  prompt  and  timely  action,  a  duly  authorized 
Executive  Board  should  be  appointed,  whose  duties  should  bo 
clearly  indicated,  and  to  whom  all  matters  of  current  business 
should  be  referred. 

A  properly  located  oflBce  should  also  be  secured,  and  as  the 
business  of  the  Order  is  so  rapidly  increasing,  both  in  extent  and 
importance,  it  must  be  guided  by  business  talents  of  no  inferior 
kind,  so  that  its  duties  and  exactments  may  be  promptly  and 
thoroughly  performed. 

The  Address  ended  here,  with  a  few  extempore 
words  of  welcome. 

The  selection  of  officers,  which  was  done  with- 
out nomination,  each  voting  as  judgment  dictated, 
showed  an  earnest  desire  to  give  the  Order  a 
ISTational  character,  and  in  this  the  views  which 
first  prompted  the  organization,  were  admirably 
sustained, — Iowa  having  the  Master,  and  South 
Carolina  the  Overseer. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  those  who  were  chosen 
to  fill  the  various  offices,  and  whose  election  irave 
great  satisfaction : 


Permanent  Organization. 


421 


Master,        .        .        . 

Overseer, 

Lechirer,     -        .        . 

Steward, 

Assistant  Steward, 

Chaplain, 

Treasurer,  - 

Secretary,        -        .        . 

Oate  Keeper, 

Ceres,       .        .        .        . 

Pomona,      ... 

Flora,       .        .        .        . 

Lady  Assistant  Steward, 


■DuoLET  W.  Adams,  "Waukon,  Iowa. 
TnoMAs  Tavlou,  Columbia,  S.  C. 
T.   A.  Thompson,  Plainview,  Minn. 
A.  J.  Vauchan,  Early  Grove,  ]\Iis3. 
G.  W.  Thompson,  N.  Brunswick,  X.J. 
A.  B.  GuosH,  Washington,  D.  C. 
F.  M.  McDowell,  Wayne,  N.  Y. 
O.  II.  Kelley,  Washington,  D.  C. 
O.  DiNwiDDiE,  Orchard  Grove,  Ind. 
Mrs.  D.  W.  Adams,  Waukon,  Iowa. 

"    O.H.Kelley,  Washington,  D.C. 

"    J.  C.  Abbott,  Clarksville,  Iowa. 
Miss  C.  A.  Hall,  Washington,  D.  C. 


EXECUTIVE  COMMITTEE. 

Wm.  Saunders,  Washington,  D.  C. 

D.  Wyatt  Aiken,  Cokesbury,  S.  C. 

E.  R.  Shankland,  Dubuque,  Iowa. 

As  an  incorporated  Association,  %Yith  the  new 
Constitution  and  the  new  officers,  we  became  in  foct 
a  new  Order.  The  business  of  1872  was  all  that 
was  recognized  as  belonging  directly  to  the  [Ra- 
tional Grange, — and  what  I  have  here  published 
furnishes  the  connecting  link  with  the  heretofore 
published  proceedings,  commencing  with  1873. 

Our  membership  now  rapidly  increased,  and  the 
following  table  shows  its  growth  by  months  during 
the  years  1873  and  1874.  We  organized  Subordi- 
nate Granges  as  follows: 


4-22 


Patrons  of  Hiisbandty. 


IS  "7  3... 
13  7'^.. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar 

Apr 

May 

Jun 

Jul. 

Aug 

Sep. 

Oct. 

Nov 

158 

338 

666 

571 

696 

623 

611 

829 

917 

1050 

974 

2119 

2239 

2024 

US- 

937 

752 

419 

396 

412 

410 

363 

Dec. 

1235 

383 


Up  to  this  time  we  have  issued  upwards  of  23,000 
Dispensations.  Such  an  increase  in  any  Association 
is  without  parallel,  and  notwithstanding  we  have 
spread  over  the  country  so  extensively,  our  increase 
for  the  past  six  months  has  averaged  three  hundred 
and  fifty  Granges  per  month. 

During  1873  the  following  States  organized  their 
State  Granges:  Alabama,  Arkansas,  California, 
Dakota,  Florida,  Georgia,  Kentucky,  Louisiana, 
Massachusetts,  Michigan,  Missouri,  Kew  Hamp- 
shire, !N"ew  Jersey,  Kew  York,  North  Carolina, 
Ohio,  Oregon,  Pennsylvania,  Tennessee,  Texas, 
Virginia,  and  West  Virginia.  / 

During  1874  we  added  Colorado,  Maine,  Mary- 
land, and  Montana. 

The  present  year,  1875,  we  have  already  enrolled 
the  State  Granges  of  Delaware  and  Connecticut, 
and  if  we  can  find  room  within  her  boundaries  for 
anything  more,  we  may,  perhaps,  have  a  State 
Grange  in  Rhode  Island.     At  present  it  is  doubtful. 

To  return  to  Georgetown,  and  January  11th, 
1873,  on  this  day  we  closed  our  work,  and  the 
National  Grange  was  at  last  a  reality.    The  increase 


Pannanoit  Organization.  ^^j 

of  business  soon  warranted  the  renting  of  a  sepa- 
rate building  for  an  office,  and  in  August,  (six  years 
after  drafting  an  outline  of  our  Order)  we  opened 
'the  Secretary's  office  in  Washington,  (nnploying  at 
the  time  seven  clerks. 

The  progress  in  the  several  States,  from  January, 
1873,  can  better  be  sketched  by  those  more  familiar 
with  their  local  matters. 

In  the  preceding  pages,  but  little  is  said  relative 
to  the  "female  element,"  from  the  fact  that  very 
few  of  the  women — whose  presence  in  our  ranks 
more  than  doubles  the  influential  strength  of  our 
Order — have  made  themselves  conspicuous;  but 
rather  have  proved  their  real  value  in  a  quiet,  mo- 
dest way,  that  invariably  adds  a  charm  and  influ- 
ence to  whatever  they  give  their  support.  JSly  per- 
sonal experience  and  observation  thus  far,  prompt 
me  to  say,  the  women  are  as  efficient  as  the  men  in 
the  general  work  of  the  Order,  and  many  of  them 
have  proved  themselves  as  competent  in  attending  to 
business. 

Had  it  not  been  for  the  influence  of  woman, 
the  Order  would  probably  never  have  been  known. 
"Without  woman's  co-operation,  it  could  not  have 
made  its  wonderful  progress,  and  only  while  their 
membership  is  retained  can  we  expect  to  continue 
it  successfully. 


/}.2^  Patrons  cf  Hitsbcndry. 

Trusting  wliat  I  Lave  given  of  our  eurly  work 
will  be  received  with  tlie  fraternal  spirit  it  is 
offered,  I  invoke  the  benediction  of  Him  who  has 
adorned  this  earth  with  endless  beauties.  May  He 
bless  your  labors  and  crown  them  with  abundant 
harvests. 

Washington,  D.  C,  A'pril  14iA,  1875. 


MRS.     O.      H       KELLEY. 


425 


Roll  of  Honor. 


4^5 


The  following  list  comprises  the  names  on  oiirboolis — iklastcra 
and  Past-Masters  of  Subordinate  Granges,  General  Deputies  and 
Associates,  who  were  recognized  in  December,  1873,  as  entitled 
to  seats  and  votes  in  the  National  Grange.  Invitations  were 
sent  requesting  their  attendance  at  the  January  meeting  of  1873. 


i  J.  C.  AnnoTT, 
*DuDLKY  W.  Adams, 
fD.  Wyatt  Aikkn, 
JT.  R.  Allen, 
tSam.  E.  Adams, 
fBen.  Allston, 
gAiison  Bartlett, 
tW.  H.  Baxter, 
gThomas  B.  Bryan, 

*JOHN  COCIIUANE, 

*E.  P.  Col  ton, 
-(■W.  W.  Corbctt, 

fD.  S.  CUKTLSS, 
■fOSCAR  DiNWIDDIK, 

*F.  H.  Dumbauld, 
tH.  D.  Emery, 
gEd.  P.  Farris, 

*A.  GOLDER, 

gA.  B.  Grosh, 
fGeorge  D.  Hincklej', 
§\Vm.  M.  Ireland, 
•f-D.  H.  Jacques, 
go.  H.  Kelley, 


tJonathan  Lawrence, 
F.  M.  MrD()wi:i-r,, 
to.  W.  McDowell, 
gWm.  Muir, 
gA.  S.  Moss, 
tWilliaia  Paist, 
tU.  D.  Powell, 
*Wm.  B.  Porter, 
fD.  A.  Robertson, 
gWM.  Saunders, 
gE.  R.  Shankland, 
fW.  E.  Simmons,  Jr., 
tW.  A.  Simpson, 
fH.  D.  Scott, 
fJosEPH  Seymour, 
||T.  M.  Smith, 
*Thomas  Taylor, 
fEben  Thompson, 
JG.  W.  Thompson, 
gj.  R.  Thompson, 
*T.  A.  Thompson, 
gJoHN  Trimble,  Jr., 
fEngene  Underwood, 
*A.  J.  Vaughan, 


*John  Wior, 
fWm.  Duune  Wilson, 
tW.  L.  Williams, 
tE.  G.  Wall, 
ID.  Worthington, 
Mrs.  J.  C.  Abbott, 
"     D.  W.  Adams, 
"     T.  R.  Allen, 
"     Anson  Bartlett, 
"     J.  Cochrane, 
"     E.  P.  Colton, 
"     A.  B.  Grosh, 
Miss  C.  A.  Hall, 
Mrs.  O.  H.  Kelley, 
"     Wra.  Muir, 
"     W.  B.  Porter, 
"     Wm.  Saunders, 
"     Thomas  Taylor, 
"     J.  R.  Thompson, 
"     T.  A.  Thompson, 
"     J.  Trimble,  Jr., 
"     John  Wier, 
"     A.  J.  Vaughan. 


Those  in  smali.  capitals  were  present.  Of  the  whole  num- 
ber all  but  six  of  the  men  did  active  work,  and  I  count  twenty- 
seven  names  whose  honors  are  nearly  equal  as  Founders  of  our 
Order.  Had  all  the  above  been  present  at  the  Georgetown  meet- 
ing, every  one  would  have  been  recognized  as  entitled  to  full 
membership. 


*  Masters  of  State  Granges, 
}  D,  aud  Master 


Past  Masters  of  State  Granges. 


T  General  Deputies, 
§  Associates. 


THE    EXPEiS^DITURES. 


As  there  has  been  a  great  deal  said,  and  much  "vrritten,  by 
both  friend  and  foe,  in  regard  to  the  large  amounts  of  money 
sent  to  the  Secretary  during  the  years  covered  by  this  history, 
and  that  the  reader  may  not  be  misled  as  regards  the  total  amount, 
I  give  this  statement  of  expenditures.  The  receipts  will  be  found 
at  the  close  of  each  chapter.  The  accounts  for  1873  were  pub- 
lished with  the  proceedings  of  the  National  Session. 

EXPENDITURES. 

ISQS. 

January Circulars %  6  00 

to  P.  O.  stamps 2  50 

May.  Linen  for  Regalia 50 

Chamois'  skin  for  Regalia 1  50 

Rent  of  Hall 2  50 

Blank  applications 6  50 

Rent  of  Hall 1  50 

Stationery 3  75 

Stamps 1  00 

Sheet  music 3  00 

Constitutions 10  00 

Rent  of  Hall 10  00 

Rent  of  Hall 10  00 

Supper  (Harvest  Feast)  for  Grange 10  00 

National  Grange  Seal 8  GO 

Expenses  from  Washington  to  Itasca,  one  moutli 

enroute 129  30 

P.  O.  Stamps 10  44 

January Manuals  by  Express 17  00 

Seal  for  Secretary 8  00 

February Manuals  by  Express 22  60 

Postage  and  Stationery 75  00 

Pioneer  Printing  Company 14  00 

Donation  to  State  Grange  of  Minnesota 25  00 

423 


The  Expenditures.  42^ 


EXPENDITTTRKS— ConWjiued. 

April Traveling  expenses  organizing  In  Minnesota 150  00 

May L^xpenses  to  and  from  Washington i:!U  00 

Postage 10  9.J 

Stationery 1  3.5 

C.  A.  Hall,  salary l.'i  00 

June 100  copies  of  Pioneer 3  00 

100  copies  of  Brcss 5  00 

Postage 10  70 

Traveling  expenses  to  State  Grange 5  CO 

July Letter-heads  and  Envelopes 0  CO 

Expenses  to  Kaliuar  Grange  and  back It  00 

Cunninghani  &  Mcintosh— Manuals 17  25 

Traveling  expenses  to  Plowman  Grange 3  30 

4  copies  of  ;\'.  ir.  Chronicle 20 

Postage 5  12 

Expenses  to  Monticello 2  20 

August Stationery C  50 

Postage. "  "5 

September,..Expenses  to  Freemont 21  50 

Letter-heads  and  Envelopes 10  00 

Traveling  Expenses 21  S-j 

Postage 7  50 

October Map  of  Iowa 1  00 

Postage 4  35 

New  Manuals  and  office  printing 15  00 

O.  H.  Kelley  on  salary -ll  50 

Traveling  expenses  to  Postville,  Iowa,  and  interme- 
diate points,  21  days G3  20 

November...Stationery 2  "o 

Postage 8  13 

Salary:for  O.  H.  Kelley 50  50 

December....Manuals "<  ^^ 

Traveling  expenses  St.  Paul  and  Stillwater 10  00 

Postage -  61 

O.  H.  Kelley  on  salary'. 27  39 

Expenses  in  organizing— Minnesota,  Iowa,  Illinois 

and  Indiana 204  30 

January Postage ^^  ;;" 

Salary  O.  H.  Kelley -^  ^ 

Cunningham  &  Mcintosh,  printers 15  00 

Hall  Rent,  Washington,  D.  C 22  50 

Manuals,  C.  O.  D 19  "3 

Supper  for  Deputies'  Grange 10  CO 

Traveling  expenses— Indianapolis  to  Washington....  40  20 


/f28  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 

Expenditures— ConMnwcd, 

February Manuals 11  50 

Salary  O.  H.  Kelley 40  40 

Postage : 4  60 

Manuals 13  95 

Expenses  Washington  to  Fredonia,  New  York,  and 

North  Madison 37  CO 

Expenses  North  Madison,  Cleveland  and  Chicago 57  C) 

March Manuals 5  00 

Expenses  from  Chicago  to  Itasca 28  00 

Postage 4  29 

April Expenses  to  Hastings,  Northfleld,  and  Owatonna 19  00 

Constitutions 11  50 

Expenses  to  Dassell  and  Rockford 7  50 

Postage  stamps 14  £9 

May Expenses  to  Minneapolis 2  CO 

"  Monticello  and  Clearwater COO 

Postage 3  CI 

June Manuals 20  CO 

Record  Book 1  25 

Account  Book 85 

Half-ream  cap  paper 1  25 

Ink,  paper  fasteners,  mucilage 2  10 

Manuals 12  00 

Postage 3  30 

Office  table  and  drayage 10  00 

July Postage  stamps 1  50 

Manuals 3  50 

Expenses  to  Chicago,  with  State  Grange,  and  return 

trip,  three  weeks 116  00 

"Wm.  Saunders  (Stockton,  Tennessee,  fee) 15  00 

Expenses  State  Grange  of  Minnesota 19  80 

Stationery 5  0) 

Postage 2  25 

August Manuals  and  Song  Books 2  00 

Postage 6  41 

September.. .Song  Books 50 

Circulars 3  00 

Expressage 25 

Postage 3  30 

Expense  of  trip  to  St.  Louis,  DesMoines,  Chicago, 

Cedar  Rapids,  Waukon,  etc.,  seven  weeks 206  50 

John  X.  Davidson,  printing 102  75 

October Expressage 2  75 

Song  Books 5  00 

Registered  letter  to  Washington 84 

McKinstry  &  Son,  printing 12  25 

Postage 5  CO 


The  Jl.xpciiditiircs.  /j.2i) 


ExPENniTUUKS — Continued. 

Novembor...r,lanks 23  .50 

Puslago 6  02 

Deccrnbor....:Manuals  and  Song  Books 0  (iO 

Postage 7  '"i 

Blanks 2  0!) 

Envelopes 1  ~'> 

Printing 10  OJ 

O.  n.  Kelley  on  salary  (moving  from  Itasca  to  Wusli- 

ington) 240  00 

0. 11.  Kelley,  traveling  expenses GO  00 

W.  W.  Corbett Ij  o:) 

The  above  shows  the  items  as  recorded  on  the  Cash  Buok ;  the  bal- 
ance we  will  condense,  to  save  room. 

January Postage 10  00 

Printing fiO  H' 

Stationery 3  00 

O.  H.  Kelley,  salary 9  00 

February Postage 11  00 

Stationery 13  00 

Deputy 7  CO 

Expressage 3  00 

O.  H.  Kelley 99  15 

Printing 140  50 

Marcli O.  H.  Kelley,  salary 125  00 

D.  S.  Curtiss,  Deputy 12  00 

Binding 16  00 

Regalia *i  '"> 

Printing IfiO  35 

Expressage 5  25 

Postage 27  50 

Stationery 10  25 

April O.  H.  Kelley,  salary 100  00 

Printing 53  50 

Stationery 3  CO 

Postage 10  31 

May Binding 18  50 

Printing S3  CO 

Regalia -1  -> 

Expressage 1  '5 

Stationery 11  5) 

June Postage 20  CO 

Stationery 3  2) 

Printing '"3  -0 

O.  n.  Kelley,  salary 312  CO 

Binding -0  00 


43°  Patrons  of  Husbandly. 

Expenditures— Con^mwed, 

June Regalia ^  .^g 

Returned  fees  to  Capital  Grange,  Iowa 15  OO 

Express gO 

July Postage g  g^ 

Stationery 2  q3 

Songs ■■"■■    5  7g 

Printing 27  50 

Expressage yQ 

Rents  for  seven  months 175  oo 

August Expressage 5  go 

Printing 6  00 

Stationery 2  00 

Postage 6  65 

September..  Stationery 1  45 

Postage 25  00 

Binding 5  qq 

Printing 30  00 

October Stationery 2  15 

Printing 3  50 

Binding 6  00 

Express 3  75 

Postage 9  93 

November-Binding g  00 

Postage 6  g2 

Rent  for  four  months 100  00 

O  H.  Kelley,  salarj^ 97  1,3 

December. ...Stationery 1  95 

Express 2  75 

Binding 22  00 

Traveling  expenses  in  New  England  States,  O.H.K..170  00 

Postage 14  r!9 

200  copies  Rural  Carolinian 30  00 

O.  H.  Kelley,  money  advanced 19S  80 

RECEIPTS 
From  1868  to  1871  inclusive $1914  75 

EXPENDITURES 
From  1868  to  1871  inclusive.. S1911  75 

Amounts  advanced  by  Individuals. 
O.  H.  Kelley $19S  go 

Wm.  Saunders 101  90 

Wm.  M.  Ireland 26  .5.5 

Doctor  J.  R.  Trimble 5  00 

F.  M.  McDowell 60  00 

Thomas  R.  IJryan 659  00 

George  I).   Hinckley 30  00 

Sam.  E.  A  !a:iis 10  00 

*111S  23 


LIST  OF  DErUTIES. 


The  following  is  a  List  of  Dopntios  who  have  served  in  their 
respective  States,  and  the  nunil)er  of  Gniugcs  each  one  organized 
up  to  the  time  this  list  was  made  out — January,  187").  In  some 
of  the  States,  Masters  of  Subordinate  Granges  have  had  authori- 
ty to  organize.  These  are  the  men  who  have  done  the  mission- 
ary work  and  whose  labors  have  built  most  of  the  Order.  Therp 
are  many,  no  doubt,  who  have  done  good  service,  and  whose 
names  have  not  yet  been  recorded  in  as  bright  colors  as  they  are 
entitled. 


ALABAMA. 

AT  4  ATT?      No.  Of  n ranges 
JNAMt,.  Organized. 

A.  B.  Brassel H 

W.  J.  Borden 4 

F.  A.  Bates 1 

F.  J.  Cook 5 

JM.  F.  Cook 1 

F.  R    Freeman 1 

W.  S.  Gordon  66 

B.  A.  Hudgins 11 

A.  S.  Hamilton 2 

A.  L.  Harrington...    7 

S.  I.  Harrington ^S 

W.  B.  Jones lul 

Geo.  D.  Jolmston...  C.3 

W.  C.  Menefee 66 

\V.  B.  Martin 4 

J.  C.  Moore 3 

R.  1).  Powell 9 

B.  P  Pootis 1 

John  Pratt 3 

J.  J.  Roach 61 

J.  R.  Rogers 2 

E.  M.  Law V8 

R.  A.  Smitli 12 

H.  A.  Swasey 3 

T.  T.  Smitb 1 

S.  S.  Scott 4 

A-  G.  Simpson 1 

M.B.Taylor 12 

W.  B.  Tenney 1 

J.  A.  Jones 1 

S.  P.  McClellan 1 

J.  B.  McLaurin 2 

Rufus  Wallace 1 

W.  C.  Zimmerman  19 


ARKANSAS. 

•VAAr-p       No.  of  Onuiges 
NAMii.  Organized. 

W.  F.  Avery 7 

T.  P.  Boone 1 

J.  I<:.  Borden 12 

J.  B.  Bezzo 7 

E.  D.  Boyd 42 

8.  Home 6 

.S.  P.  Hughes 3 

E.  L.  Beard 3 

J.  M.  Brown 3 

P.  H.  Benton 5 

J.  O.  Browning 12 

J.  A.  C.  Bingham...    1 

J.  N.  Annis  1 

W.R.Carter 6 

G.  L).  Clements 1 

G.  G.  Ciirlin 1 

M.  S.  Douglas 15 

G.  W.  Daniels 5 

J.  S.  Gray 18 

R.  S.  Hynes 31 

L,.  J.  Hogg 18 

VV.  T.  Hays 10 

J.  E.  Hargrove 1 

H.  T.  Hawkins 1 

T.  J.  Julian 4 

H.  M.  Jacoway 3 

Jno.  T.  Jones 10 

M.  L   Locke 19 

B.  H.  Malone 3 

W.  L.   Moore 10 

A.  D.  Matthews 4 

A.  W.  McPherson..  10 

L.  B.  Mitchell 1 

Alfred  Moss 8 


N.  ,f  T^       No.  of  Granges 
AMI-^.  Organized. 

G.  L.  Massey 6 

G.  W    McCauley 1 

M.  M.  Norris 6 

E.H.Owens 7 

J.  M.  Parrot 2 

N.  B.  Pearce 38 

J.  H.  Palmer 3 

W.  H.  C.  Reid 1 

H.  B.  Rawles 3 

H  H.  RuDel 2 

J.  P.  Saughter 2 

J.  B.  Saunders 26 

M.  A.  Townsend 1 

G.  F.  Thompson 3 

C.  E.  Tobey 9 

N.  B.  Thewitt 2 

.1.   M.  Steel I'j 

E.  R.  Shipman 7 

T.  H.  Turner 2 

I.  H.  Hunter 7 

J.  M.  Richard 3 

A.  J.  Vaughan 17 

M.  \V.  Vance 2.') 

J.  W.  Williams 1 

H.  F.  Wickersham  12 

J.  F.  Wil.'^on 7 

T.  S.  Young 1 

B.  D.  Johnson <i 

H.  Wilson 1 

CALIFORNIA. 

O.  L.  Abhatt 1 

W.  S.  Babcock I 

W.  H.  Baxter 52 

Jas.  A.  Clark 1 

431 


432 


Patrons  of  Husbandly. 


CALIFORNIA— Cont'd. 

G.W.Colby 2 

G.  W.  Davis 3 

R.  G.  Dean 3 

J.  D    Fowler 3 

N.  W.  Garrctson 4 

J.  J.  Hicock 12 

G.  VV.  Heniiint^s o 

J.  M.  Haimltoii 5 

J.  H.  He<<ler 5 

K.  C.  Haile 3 

'J'.  A.  G.irey 10 

W.  x\l.  Jacksou 7 

H.  B.  JoUv 4 

T.  H.  Merry 10 

A.  J.  Motliersead...    i' 

A.D.  NeUier 1 

J.  O.  Spencer 4 

W.  S.  Manlove 10 

W.  M.  Tliorp 5 

T.  H.  Wyatt 1 

J.  W  A  Wright 40 

M.  Wason 4 

E.  B.  Stiles 5 

B.  V.  Weeks 3 

Andrew  Worth 1 

J.  D.  Spencer 1 

CONNECTICUT. 

G.  H.  Newton 3 

1.  L.  Buck 1 

CANADA. 
Eben  Thompson 9 

DELAWARE. 

W.  H.  Walker 6 

J.  M.  Barr 1 

J.  M.  Hamilton 7 

Jolin  Cochran 1 

Samuel  llobbins 1 

DAKOTA  TERRITORY. 

H.  L.  Terry 22 

P.  H.  Fritts 1 

O.  T.  Jones 23 

J.  Sargent 1 

W.  Robertson 2 

J.  Gehon 2 

E.  B.  Crew 2 

('.  NorMuip 1 

Samuel  Partridge...    2 

FLORIDA. 

D.  H.  Jacques 6 

P.  A.  McGriff. 2 

Thomas  A.  Corruth  20 

Wm.  H.  Wilson 48 

B.  F.  Wardlow 27 

H.W.Long 1 

Robert  Bullock 10 

M.  A.  Clouts 3 

W.  McDaniels 1 


GEORGIA. 

G,  W.  Adams 83 

Rev.  C.  W.  Howard  9.5 

J.  S.  Lavender 8 

P.  A.  McGritf. 5 

C.  M.  Davis  3 

L.  F.  Livingston 7 

T.  B.  King 6 

[Suliorfjinate  Ma-iters  were 
Tjr  a  time  authorized  to  organ- 
ize in  this  State,  and  were  not 
recurdcd  as  Dcpuiies.] 

ILLINOIS. 

O.  H.  Kelley...  3 

J.  H.  Oakwood 2 

J.    Wilkinson 4 

A.  Golder 18 

E.  V.  Lapham 9 

A.  Woodford 15 

S.  J.  Baird 1 

D.N.  Foster 17 

H.  P.  Garrison 4 

J.  C.  Abbott 6 

Austin  Morse 1 

C.  L.  Templeton 1 

O.  E.  Fanning 1 

W.  W.  Tilton 4 

J.  T.  Graham 1 

E.  Hinze 1 

N.  B.  Eastman 2 

J.  R.  Mack 6 

D.  W.  Dine 3 

John  Downen 31 

Lotl  Rolib 1 

Gooraie  C   Walker..    3 

Frank  Cusliing 27 

R.  M.  Gihson 2 

G.  W.  King 19 

E.R.Sutton 1 

E.  W.  Downer 24 

J.  Hinman 1.5 

Joliu  Bird 15 

J.  S.  Heck n 

E.  Noble 21 

V.  H.  Harris 8 

C.  W.  Sanders 3 

C.  Myers Z\ 

H.  V.  Rowe 2.5 

J.  B.  Garvin 10 

E.  Whiltleton 17 

D.  D.  Pierce 9 

J.  D.  Wallis 33 

G.  W.  Keithley 5 

A.  B.  Regnier 23 

R.  A.  Langdon 2 

Geo.  Hetheringtou  15 

A.  S.  Blakeslee 13 

J.N.Rankin 2 

George  Ball 20 

O.  P.  Myers 6 

E.  D.  Adams 2 

R.  D.  Faris 8 

.lames  W.  Rigg 23 

W.T.  Black C 


I  J.  W.  Massey 2 

1  .John  Smallwood....  J2 

James  H.  Lee 4 

'  Jacob  Betz 1 

J.  (;.  Fisher 3 

H.  M  Hood 8 

E.  S.  Peabody 11 

D.  D.  Tobey 17 

J.  H.  Palmer 4 

Boone  Barton 7 

E.  S.  Sale 1 

James  M.  Morse 19 

C.  E.  Barney 13 

G.  W.  Patten 24 

A.B.Apple 8 

F.  M.  Price 27 

J.  C.  Swatsley 1 

S.  J.  Frew 34 

C.  H.  Bennet 9 

Thomas  Ellis VI 

J.  M.  W.  Moore 9 

C.  Downing 17 

A.  E.  Swap 10 

M.  B.  Porter 19 

M.  A.  Pratt 3 

Joseph  McLain 18 

R.C.Kile 7 

F.  C.  Hitchings 14 

G.N.Kerr 9 

G.  W.  Irwin 17 

EiiasGibbs 6 

John  Adams ■  7 

A.  H.  Uollou 2 

P.  L.  Myer.s It! 

J.  R.  Herring 1 

V.  H.Porter 21 

H.  N.  IngersoU 8 

R.  G.  Rider 13 

Z.  C(  ok 2 

J.  H.  Campbell 8 

Wilson  Pottinger...    7 

.lolin  Swaney 3 

Joseph  Burdott H 

Jolin  McConnel 24 

W.  H.  Laugston....    7 

J.  F   Randolph 23 

A.W.Bali ^l 

David  Neal 1 

W.  C.  Smoot 12 

J.  F.  Lafferty 40 

M.  H.  Bisby 8 

A.  J.  Burbank 6 

Joseph  Brown 14 

W.  Barret 1 

A.  P.  Forsyth 33 

Valentine  Hicks 0 

W.  A.  Judd 4 

Sylvester  Scott 13 

J.  Brainard 3 

Charles  Musson .32 

S.  Doten 11 

G.  W.  Miller 19 

M.  M.  Clothier 2 

L.  I).  Conch 14 

F.  P.  Beach 6 


List  of  Deputies. 


433 


ILLINOIS— Continued. 

W.  P.  Paiker 4 

John  Oiiiggs 14 

Win.  Van  Allen 0 

J.  H.Klapp 7 

W.  O.  Trolt n 

W.H.  I£.  Iloldridge    8 

J.  M.  Abbott 5 

Robeit  I'aldwoU 3 

A.  J.  P.attertou 10 

J).  C.  H'istetler 7 

W.  M.  Kay 20 

K.  C.  Calvt-rt 7 

L.  R.  Morse 3 

S.  U.  Holler 2 

John  Hawkins 2 

D.B.  Green 3 

V.  P.  Richards 7 

3.  H.  Pollock 5 

G.  B.  Quigley 2 

B.  I.  Van  Court » 

J.  C   Babbs 7 

C.  H.  Phelps 2 

A.  ShurtlilT. 3 

A.  B.  Minerly 3 

F.O.Caldwell 1 

Prestou  Bell 1 

W.  H.  Joseph H 

W.  K.  Sharp 3 

A.  W.  Anderson 1 

A.  VanDalen 5 


C.  M.  Sargent t. 

J.B.  Blakely 2 

J.  S.  Armstrong....     3 

E.  Kiel ••••    1 

M.  K.  Hammond...    2, 

Daniel  Teeter 3 

S.  P.  Tults 6 

M.  K.  Busick 7 

Charles  Felton 7 

Samuel  Tafty 1 

E.  M.  Whitzell 5 

Henry  Kramer 8 

A.  O.  Campbell 1 

G.  W    Mandevllle..    8 
D.  G.  A.  Railsback    3 

Kamuel  Engant 4 

H.  C  Bliss 1 

H.  Winard 4 

T.  W.  Buell 1 

A.  N.  Harris 1 

F.  Groff. 1 

A.  Barker 1 

Frank  Brown 4 

John  Edmunds 2 

W.  J.  Suit 3 

Henry  Lewis 1 

J.G.Scott 2 


G.  I..  T.owo 7 

A.  Poor Hi 

Janu's  Yoaman <> 

J.  H.  Wyalt 1 

C.  W.  Clifton 2.5 

T.  W.  Harris 1 

O.  A.  Vorce 1 

A.  Lansing <*< 

L.  Ll.  Krwiu H 

J.  N.  Ross 7 

EnosWilk'ott 2 

J.  J.  W.  Billingsly..  4i) 

C.  L.  Templelon 1 

C.  W.Davis 4 

R.  .loluison 1 

J.G.  Kingsbury 4i> 

J.  G.  Culp 21 

J.  W.Julian 1<> 

U.  Api)lew-hite 2-! 

S.  II.  Pierce 35 

M.  L. Trout 21 

G.M.Curry 3() 

W.  H.  Sliearer M 

James  Comstock....  22 

lu  J.  Hickman 'll 

J.  W.  Hudson 5 

Benjamin  Harris...    1 

S.  Bragunier 31 

Henry  Goar 3.S 

T.  W.  Reese 28 

J.  A.  Q,.  Newsou 40 

R.  Sanders 5 

W.  G.Lewis 67 

A.  L.  Reichardson  10 
Thomas  Unsworth    2 

James  Emerson 13 

Henly  James 35 

J.  W.  Ball 20 

B.  F.  Moore » 

K.  Ferguson 17 

Y,  T.  Babb 20 

V.  Caillaf 1' 

H.  J.  Shafer 8 

Wm.  Collet 24 

F.  C.Phillips 3:5 

F.  C.  Johnson 42 

J.H.  Brown 19 

R  C.Sawdon 20 

G.D.Custer 29 

J.  J.  Coombs o4 

R    M.  Hazlelett 47 

C.  C.  Post 4 

J.N.Miller.. 13 

D.  Tranbarger H 

D.  Wilkes 18 

Percy  Rons ^i 

F.  Galway If 

J.  Beard 


A.  W.  Cooke 19 

A.Hatll.ld 8 

W.  M.  Moiirt- 27 

J.  A.  Mount 17 

.lames  Staples II 

W.  .V.  Chappel 2(J 

B.  F.  Wisler 15 

Barlier ;» 

Tliompson -1 

O'Brien 10 

!•:.  Paiidock 9 

F.  Collins l? 

F.  Clark 1> 

A.  Oilman •> 

W.  H.  Raper -O 


INDIANA. 

O.  H.  Kelley 2 

T.  Keene 24 

O.  Dinwiddle 7 

J.  S.  Graham 43 


J    D.  Fornshell 18 

W.  M.  A.  Kerby 31 

W.  S.  Rowe o 

Alvin  Crippen 11 

P   Caldwell 21 

J.  Thromburg 9 

E.  White 20 


David  Doty 19 

Jonas  Votaw 17 

W.  P.  Rees 2! 

S.  Davidson 15 

J.P.  Kuntz 0 

Jacob  Mutz 12 

U.  C.  McKinney 9 

J.  W.  Ranison i 

D.W.  Kirk  wood 4 

C  Walkup 2 

B.F.Ham 20 

G.  W.  Reeve o 

O.  F.  Holbrook 8 

E.Brown 1 

M.  Waterman » 

D.  K.  Ridgway 8 

J.  C.  Clavpool !•> 

W.  Clark ;> 

J.P.Pankey 8 

A.  J-  Pope 

T.  C.Bailey 

p.  Weese 

J.  B.  Williams 

Wm.  Bray 

J.  King , 

J.C.  Campl)ell 1 

J.  S.  Greaihouse lo 

T.A.McNaught ' 

J.  G.  Mayer J 

N.Crane J 

N.  A.  Glass o 

C.  Welch 9 

T.  R.  Stairs -■ 

A.  W.  Stewart 11 

S.  P-  Waggoner 8 

G.  T.  Barney 4 

p.  Perjgo ' 

W.  P.  Strickland 4 

T.  Stockhouse 1^ 

James  H.  Cox ' 

G.  W.  Neiharth.. 

C.  B  Austin 

Samuel  '1 .  Wells. 
W.  M.  Cochran... 

J,  H  J.  Soivp 

H    P-  Stevens 

J.  H.  Taylor 

W.  F-  Moore 


8 
2 

0 

13 

4 

5 


James  De  Moss 0 

J.  M.  Bilker 2 


28 


434- 


Patrons  of  Husbandly. 


INDIANA— Continued. 

J.  L.Lynn 9 

H.Allen 1 

O.  D.  Crockett 2 

B.  P.  Rice 2 

'W.  Jones 3 

P.  Kean '1 

E.  Haltmarsh 1 

J.  B.  Nees 2 

H.  C.  Jack.sou 2 

M.  M.  Moody 1 

T.  B.  Monroe 1 

IDAHO  TERRITORY. 

George  Hunter 2 

Frank  Sheltou 12 

H.  H.  Spalding 1 

IOWA. 

O.  H.  Kelley 4 

C.  Pauik 4 

W.J.  Breckon 19 

Z.  Cook 2 

W.  D.  Wilson 38 

James  L.  Enos 8 

Wm.  Anderson 1 

J.  D.  Whitman 19 

J.  Bradley 13 

W.  F.  Knowles 11 

A.  M.  May 1 

D.  V/.  Adams 3 

J.  C.  Abbott 17 

J.  K.  Powell 2 

A.  A.  Davis 1 

A.  J.  Johnston 3 

W.  L.  Scott 22 

A.  B.  Smedley 4 

C.  Brolliar 39 

H.  A.  Durand 1 

D.  S.  Blair 1 

A.  R.  Dickey 8 

J.  T.  Miller 34 

J.  Wilkinson 112 

Jesse  Pigot 25 

.Toell'agin 5 

David  High 15 

LeviHubbell 0 

D.  A.  Haywood 13 

C.  F.  Clarkson 11 

C.  D.  Beaman 4 

W.  R.  Reynolds 5 

E.  J.  Ohr 79 

W.  P.  McClure 18 

Silas  Davis 34 

E.  G.  Miller 15 

Thomas  Boot 2 

PhiloLowry 6 

Robert  McCaulI 75 

J.  M.  Randel 58 

H.T.Elliott 9 

8.  M.  Hightower 5 

Samuel  De  Con 22 

J.  W.  McConnell...    9 

F.  M.  Edwards 2S 


Samuel  Simson 37 

E.  Van  Hoten 1 

C.  H.  Cooper 35 

J.  W.  Cummins 21 

D.  N.  Cook 19 

J.  H.  :Millimaa 13 

Jesse  Pearson 93 

A.  McKinuey 1 

P.  G.  Bonewitz 23 

A.  F.  Tickenor 2 

H.  A.  Humphreys..    7 

I.  O.  Harris 16 

H.  J.  Williamson..    2 

D.  W.  Randolph 3 

W.  Wingate 12 

H.  A.  Agens 4 

N.  W.  Garretson...  37 

J.  A.  T.Bates 11 

Walter  Ozler 1 

A.  Failor 38 

H.  L.  Childs 26 

J.  P.  Cox 2 

J.  H.  Norton 16 

J.  W.Scott 11 

E.  S.  Hagaman 4 

C.  D.  Conwell 5 

D.  W.  Prindle 35 

Jacob  Hart 82 

D.  E.  Sweet 10 

W.  W.  Tilton 1 

R.  Swisher 1 

J.  M.  Walker 8 

E.  Gallup 21 

James  Porter 1 

W.  P.  Carrman 1 

James  McDaniels..  IS 

W.  B.  Butler 7 

Nelson  Rogers 14 

James  M.  Cook 9 

Daniel  Pickens 3J 

J.  S.  Ackley 16 

E.  R.  Shankland...    2 
W.  C.  Blackstone...  12 

S.  G.  Sehorn 12 

Wm.  Blain i.0 

Spencer  Day 9 

W.  F.  Jones 25 

B.  R.  Baker 1 

Thomas  L.  McVey..    1 

W.R.Camp 4 

D.  M.  Valentine 3 

P.  Ellerbrook 2 

Wm.  Cory 1 

M.  Tuttle 1 

T.  J.  McPhersey 1 

J.  A.  Whiting 1 

Allen  Andrew 2 

D.  W.  Weeman 1 

James  Lemon 2 

F.  r.  Sohanger 1 

.L  E.  Fairchild 3 

J.  F.  Glover 1 

R.  B.  Smith 1 

A.  S.  Beats 2 

R.P.Bell 1 


W.  Allen 1 

D.  W.  Inman 1 

H.  Miner 1 

W.  B.  Brown 1 

Wesley  Homan 5 

C.  W.  Gould 16 

R.  R.  Harbour 19 

J.  C.  Spooner 18 

T.J.  Garnett 9 

H.  Dwire 10 

J.  G.  H.  Little 8 

Wm.Cobb 10 

W.  W.  Boak 7 

Jon'a.  Thatcher 15 

W.O.  Curtis 15 

J.  W.  Tilden 15 

L.  D.  Lane 6 

J.  N.  Millen 15 

John  M.Fitzgerald    8 

G.  H.  Jones 5 

Robert  S.  Wherry..    6 

H.A.Pierce 4 

Cyrus  Abel 12 

R.  R.  Paine 5 

S.  C.  Vance 6 

A.  S.  Rice 1 

Robert  Hope 3 

Wm.  McLLod 8 

L.  D.  Hotchkiss 23 

E.  W.  F'.illerton....    2 

W.  L.  King 9 

T.  J.  Beers 4 

James  Underwood.    2 

A.  J.  Beall 5 

L.S.  Axtell 6 

Thomas  Walker 5 

H.  H.  Creighton 2 

H.  D.  Wood 5 

John  Fern 7 

T.  S.  MapeL 1 

E.  Trescott 10 

T.  E.  Wright 4 

Warren  White 4 

J.  A.  Pierson 14 

J.  W.  Pinckney 1 

C.  S.  Woodin 6 

James  Morrison....    2 

A.  C.  Barrick 2 

Wm.  Asbury 4 

O.H.  Quint 1 

James  Plielan 1 

F.  M.  Robinson 3 

J.  E.  Blackford 7 

Geo.  McCaughey....    3 

D.  B.  Clark... 0 

H.  T.  Ogden 1 

S.  G.  Kendall 2 

C.  Christy 3 

J.  B.  McDermott 3 

KANSAS. 

Joshua  Ball 5 

F.  H.  Dumbauld 34 

J.J.  Kipp 41 

C.  E.  Frear 3 


Ust  of  Deputies 


435 


KANSAS— Continued. 

A.   Byeis 32 

K  II.  Cox I 

H.  H.  AnjJtell M 

George  Spurgeou...  11 

J.  A.  Cramer 10) 

John  Nelson S? 

W.  S.  llanna 135 

T.  E.  Taber 25 

A.  Palmei" 3-5 

li.  H.  Stone 29 

Tlios.  W.  Peacock...  42 

S.  R.  Shirley 29 

.1.  J.  Sitton 60 

Z.  Meredith 31 

I.e.  Cuppy 24 

D.  15.  Welding 42 

.1.  F.  McDowell 17 

R.  A.  .Johnston U 

Charles  W.  Baker..  22 

K.  A.  Hodge 14 

J.  N.  InsU-y 22 

I.  J.  Frisbie 1 

O.  M.  Milliard 8 

John  G.  Otis 3 

.T.  W.  Brooks 11 

II.  Parmenter 22 

E.  D.  Smith 70 

J.  D.  Wait 12 

G.  M.  Suramerville  24 

W.  P.  Popenoe 21 

L.  II.  Pittsbury 2 

F.  C.  Herron 17 

W.  S.  Mathews 15 

.T.  M.  Warden 40 

J.  M.  Limbocker...  37 

Peter  Brandon 10 

Peter  Caldwell 1 

.7.  L.  Zimmerman..  16 

E.  P.  Pomeroy 4 

J.  F.  Ricketts 6 

J.  L.  Blair lO 

B.  H.  Bradshaw 20 

Eugene  DeBuru 17 

A.  J.  McKee 21 

R.  F.  Kiunerly 6 

A.  Ellis 12 

A.  N.  Case lO 

T.  D.  Wilson 4 

A.  M.  Chase 7 

N.M.Morgan 1 

H.  C.  Babcock 13 

Thomas  Donnell...    3 
R.  S.  Osborne 5 

B.  L.  Beebe 8 

John  Boyd 5 

W.  D.  Covington...    6 

J.  H.  Bradd 12 

G.  F.  Card 13 

G.  N.  Nichols 8 

G.  S.  White 6 

M.  E.  Hudson 1 

W.  H.  Fletcher 2 

C.  B.  Spalding 3 

H.  C.  Cook 2 


R.  B.  Monroe 6 

J.  G.  MfCllmont...  2 

W.  H.  Mtsou 4 

W.  W.  Cone 4 

J.  C.  Pinney 3 

KENTUCKY. 

T.  B.  Jones 23 

A.  J.  D.  Thurston..  15 

E.  W.  Downer 88 

S.H.Ellis I 

Thomas  J.  Keys 50 

W.  W.  Langley 4 

S.  D.  Compton 22 

J.  F.  Davis 55 

G.  R.  Snyder 24 

H.  T.  Priest 30 

T.  S.  Broughton 51 

J.  F.  Horndon 38 

J.  R.  Earle 4S 

J.  W.  Wright 39 

M.  D.  Davis 3 

J.  D.  Graves 8 

H.  W.  Sutton 1 

W.  U.  Lightfoot 32 

J.  B.  Key 21 

J.  L.  Henry bA 

W.  J.  Davie 55 

T.  J.  Hicks 15 

M.  L.  Ki Hebrew 7 

R.J.  Hopkins 15 

I.  B.  Nail 26 

T.  M.  Jones 9 

W.  F.  Coppage 15 

W.  W.  Taylor 2 

R.  H.  Hord 67 

J.  D.  Manning 14 

E.  F,  Craig 8 

B.  L.  McLain H 

L.  B.  Ware 4 

J.  P.  Shaw 6 

J.  C^  Springtield 4 

A.  Smith 8 

Reed  Hughes 8c 

J.  T.  House 2 

S.  W.  Clark 37 

I.  N.  Sweetmau 52 

L.  L.  Davie 40 

P.  B.  Sheppard 13 

J.  B.  Robinson 25 

J.  L.  Neal 18 

J.  F.  Locust 1 

A.  F.  Williams 56 

J.  M.  Blades 1 

I.  M.  Rogers 10 

A.  Liter !■> 

G.  W.   Zeager 1 

W.  C.  Montgomery    9 

J.  A.  Clark 23 

T.  W.  Hardy 17 

S.  T.  Morehead 2 

S,  Hodge 13 

R.  D.  Smith 4 

J.  E.  Price 44 

J.  H.  McChesney...    4 


L.  A.  Downor H 

Wm.   lirowM 10 

Vance  .Smith II 

J.  U.  llogn 2 

K.  II.  Arnold 2 

'I'lioiiias  Sewurd 3 

M.  iOiiilirey 6 

W.  W.  Bowling 2 

W.D.  Murrah 26 

E.   C.   Sublet t ■'1 

B.  T.  Taylor 9 

H,  Cockrei 1 

J.  G.  Carter K 

J.  S.  Young 1 

J.  S.  Collins  4 

W.  J.  J.  Nash 2 

B.  Wright 6 

W.  W.  Bernard 5 

T.  M.  Hammock 2 

LOUISIANA. 

Dr.  D.  L.  Phares 7 

E.  G.  Wall 1 

James  D.  Wylie....    1 

W.  H.  L.Lewis 35 

Joe.   H.  Jordan 21 

R.  E.  Ambrose 4 

D.  Dennitt 1« 

W.  G.  Stovale 5 

J.  W.  Haynes 5 

H.  A.  Denkins 9 

J.  W.  Nicholson 2 

U.  Desouge 6 

Allen  Barksdale 10 

O.  M.  Lee 8 

G.  T.  Ventrlss 9 

J.  S.  Gardner 5 

G.  P.  S.  Tliomp.son    1 

J.  H.  Hyson 8 

S.  P.  DeBois 2 

A.  L.  Hundley   ..    22 

George  Camble 5 

S.  A.  Baillio 5 

J.  J.  Clou 2 

Wm.  Akers 2 

M.  M.  Smith 3 

D.  C.  Morgan 3 

H.  A.  Swasey 2 

J.  W.  Odum 6 

W.  H.  Harris 3 

G.  W.  McCormlck..    1 

H.  R.  Lott 2 

T.  R.  Vaughan 2 

W.H.Cunningham    2 
J.  P.  Payne 5 

MICHIGAN. 

B.  M.  Jones 1 

B.  W.  Sweet H 

J.  C.  Abbott 8 

Thomas  Buckhout    6 

Perry  Curtiss 2^1 

T.  A.  Thompson 7 

C.  L.  King 169 


43^ 


Patrons  of  Husbandry. 


MICHIGAN— Continued. 

S.  F.  Brown 7 

C.  Boufoccy 4 

I>.  Dunc.'in 2 

Josenli  GHman U 

Daniel  Cahill 16 

»'.  L.  Whitney 108 

C.  M.  AVood 42 

S.  Ireland 10 

J.  T.  Cobb 4 

George  Boyce 4 

J.  B.  Thomas 1 

H.   H.  Brueton 9 

E.  A.  Strong 5 

V'/.  M.  Cooper 5 

J.  JNI.  Neasinith 1 

G.  W.  Wanaker 4 

E.  J.  Hodges 5 

A.  M.  Fitch 2 

A.  C.  Lawrence 1 

L.K.Brown 31 

A.  H.  Vorbees 2 

J.  JI.  Green 6 

J.  J.  Woodman 2 

John  Stnble 2 

K.  Moore 8 

J.  B.  Johnson 4 

P.  W.  Adams 3 

J.  R.Alger 1 

P.  Burton 1 

E.Packard 5 

J.  H.  Beeby 1 

AVm.  Deyo 1 

MARYLAND. 

T.  A.  Thompson 3 

E.  J.  Ohr 9 

J.M.  Barr 8 

Joseph  T.  Moore...    3 

Ed.  Hall  of  B 41 

J.  N.  Chiswell 10 

Joseph   Barlow 7 

AVashingt'n  Bowie    9 

V.  M.  Frior 5 

J.  W.  Knotts 11 

T.  Roliey 4 

J.  H.  Bodderston...    1 

A.  L  Tavean 8 

J.  B.  Armstrong.....    3 
T.  H.  Shepherd 1 

MAINE. 

A.  K.  Walker 12 

O.  D.  Hinckley 13 

George  Clements...  7 

J.  O.  Keys 3 

L.  B.  Dennett 7 

J.  S.  Robbing 2 

C.  H.  Cobb 5 

Nelson  Ham 4 

H.  Little 1 

P.  E.  Norton 1 

David  Crockett 7 

J.  M.  J.ackson 1 

U.  E.  Gilnian 3 


MONTANA  TER. 

n.  N.  Sutherlm 23 

John  Uiiderwood...     1 

MASSACHUGETTS. 
Eben  Thompson...     1 

J.  C.  Abbott 21 

George  H.  Newton.    5 
George  T.  Barker....    G 

H.  C.  Hurd 6 

R.    Lewis 1 

C.  W.  Felt 1 

H.  P.  Robinson 18 

Thad.  Graves. 4 

A.J.Sawyer 1 

James  Draper 1 

MINNESOTA. 

O.  H.  Kelley 20 

A.  B.  Curry 1 

R.  D.  Farnham 8 

Wni.  Paist 3 

Rev.  Z.  Cook 18 

W.R.- Huntley 1 

C.  J.  Atwater 1 

T.  A.  Thompson 37 

D.  J.K.Clark 2 

Robert  J.  Peri'y 1 

W.  A.  Gray 2 

J.  H.  Williams 2 

J.  A.  Jackson 4 

A.  B.  Smedley 4 

E.  Higgins 4 

F.  C.  Robinson 1 

A.  Grant 5 

F.   L.   Hewitt 1 

W.  H.  Lee 20 

J.  A.  Mather 2 

J.  N.  Graling 4 

C.  P.  Nichols 9 

T.  C.  Adams 1 

D.  R.  Woodman 3 

J.  W.  Richardson...    2 
George  McCollum..    2 

J.  D.  Beeman 9 

A.  W.  Fountain 1 

D.  E.  Sweet 2 

R.  B.  Simmons 11 

S.  E.  Goodrich 3 

A.  J.  Murphy 28 

M.  B.  Felt 2 

Simon  Taylor 3 

Isaac  Gallaher 2 

W.  R.  Robinson 2 

P.  Smith I 

Thos.  Featherston..    4 

F.  A.  Elder 11 

T.  O.  Grady 2 

George  I.  Parsons..  86 

C.  H.  Thompson 2 

S.    F.  Wilklow 16 

C.  H.  Hitchcock 1 

Philo.  Woodrufi".....  10 
P.  McKcnua. 1 


E.  G.  Comstock 2 

O.  II.  Page I 

.1.  W.  Benjamin 3 

J.  H.  Dunham 10 

J.  F.  Daniels 7 

J.  C.  Stearns .,  5 

G.  C.  Cliamberlin...  7 

M.  C.  Fuller 5 

A.  B.  Swain 6 

M.  S.  Webb 1 

A.  K.Vaiiderwaker  19 
O.  E.  Huudell 3 

B.  Abbott « 

J.  T.  Turber 3 

Win.  Sleight 10 

J.  H.  Cunningham  2 

J.   O.  Milne 8 

Daniel  T.  Aiken 1 

VV.  S.  Chowen 12 

James  C.  Edson 4 

H.S.Boyd 8 

F.  H.  Russell 3 

N.   Webster 6 

H.  R.  Mareyes 3 

S.  G.  Canfleld 2 

Samuel  Marsh 3 

J.  H.  Thomas 2 

E.  D.  French 5 

S.  Partridge 2 

R.  G.  Murphy 2 

H.  W.  Young 3 

S.E.Adams 1 

G.  Sargent 1 

E.  P.  Eddy 2 

L.  G.  Wood 1 

W.  V.  King 2 

S.  F.  Richardson...  1 

E.  R.  Austin .5 

N.  M.  Freeman 1 

J.  B.Gitchell 3 

J.  G.  Ryder 2 

E.  Mclntire 3 

N.  S.  Rigby 1 

W.  E.  Hyatt 3 

E.  H.  S.  Dartt 1 

N.  Small I 

O.  E.  Randall 1 

MISSISSIPPI. 

W.J.Rhea 11 

W.  L.  Williams ;;9 

R.  D.  Powell V.\ 

R.  Powers 1 

D.  L.  Phares 3 

A.  J.  Vaughan 22 

E.  G.Wall 57 

R.  Kirkpatrick 1 

R.  J.  Lawrence 22 

Perry  MulUn 8 

C.  L.  Evans 23 

.1.  T.  McGee 37 

.1.  A.  Niclson 4 

C.  L.  Alford 1 

J.  W.  G.  Maxey 13 

M.  C.  Periucs. 19 


List  of  Deputies. 


437 


MISSISSIPPI— Cont'd. 

Thomas  E.  Cannon  22 

H.  L,.  Holland iO 

S.  V.  Knnis 2 

B.  S.  Rushing 12 

G.  W.  Bynuui (i 

J.  Mallet 11 

R.  D.  PalnuT 2(j 

J.  H.  Davenport...    2 

J.  H.  Sharp 5 

H.  C.  Dear 12 

R.  A.  Dean 7 

James  Bryan 2 

V.H.  Fugate 14 

A,  S.  Baugh 14 

G.  W.  Gill 17 

\V.  T.  Robertson...    7 

G.  W.  Smith 1 

P.  L.  Dallis 10 

A.  J.   Liddell 14 

A.  R.   Koudre 21 

H.O.  Dixon  4 

W.  Harrington 1 

G.  W.  a.  Vaniz 4 

H.  C.    Lamar 1 

J.  J.  Shack leford...    1 

T.  R.  Gowan 1 

J.G.  Me  Arthur 12 

J.  N.  Parker 5 

T.  S.  White 4 

J.H.Allen 3 

G.  L.  Donald 2 

J.  R.  Galtnev 1 

S.B.Woodruff. 13 

C.  Alford 4 

M.  West 3 

J.  M.  Grafton 3 

John  Foust 1 

Thos.  J.  Allsworth.    1 

J.H.Allen 4 

E.  T.  Hudnall 11 

W.  W.  Harvey .5 

R.  M.  Martin 1 

Thomas  J.  Aby 1 

S.  B.  Gilbert 3 

J.  A.  Galbreath 4 

A.  A.  Stephens 6 

Thomas  E.  Bugg...    2 

W.F.Daniels 1 

J.  R.  McLaurin 1 

S.  P.  LeSette ,5 

O.  H.  Wixson 3 

J.  G.  Murry 1 

J.  H.  Field 3 

J.  L.  Bramlitt 1 

W.  G.  Morgan 5 

J.  T.  McGiunis 1 

C.  Nettleville 3 

D.  N.  Dunlap 9 

C.  McLaurin 2 

W.  W.  Troup 8 

C.  H.   Frith 2 

J.  H.  Leigh 2 

T.  J.  Dupree 3 


MISSOURI. 

O.  H.  Kelloy 2 

FJlis   Hergeiit 5 

Robert  Dunn 2 

E.  J.  Ohr 24 

I).    Wood 17 

T.  R.  Allen hij 

C.  Conard Kl 

J.  M.  Mitchell 72 

M.   Buttertteld 51 

J.  R.  Cordell 35 

M.  J.  F.  Leonard...  lo 

.1.  C.  Gill 9 

Daniel  Pickens 1 

Samuel  Paxtou 4 

H.  B.  Coffey 29 

John  Hornback 1 

F.  M.  West 1 

Daniel  L.  Hall 28 

J.  M.  Oldham 46 

W.  M.  Gates 4.5 

J.  M.  Clark 42 

O.  H.  P.  Lear C 

Charles  A.  Wallace  32 

A.  J.  Stewart 13 

J.  E.  Hutton G4 

H.  M.  Peterson 27 

J.  C.  Bram 1 

Wm.  Muir 3 

W.  D.  McDonald...  50 

George  Siick 13 

James  T.  Thull 37 

R.  H.  Willis 15 

A.  I.  Zeigle 9 

W.  W.  Brannin 10 

R.  Z.  Fewell 17 

Lewis  Neale 16 

M.  B.  Page 22 

M.  H.  Burnett 13 

D.  K.  Steele 12 

E.  Brayton 40 

Sani'l  T.  Kennedy..  10 

S.  McWilliams 21 

J.  R.  Cullers 23 

T.  W.  Martin 12 

H.   Browning 17 

H.  W.  Rubel 53 

P.  E.  Gowdy 20 

J.  J.  Hubbell 32 

H.  L  Dolson 6 

James  M.  Miller...  11 

A.  A.  Anderson 31 

Beth  Farwell 10 

H.  H.  Haley 13 

Wm.  F.  Grubb 8 

T.P.Cook 9 

S.  C.  Mitchell 6 

A.  Maitland 22 

T.  G.  Deatherage...  22 

G.  W.  Kinney 12 

James  Adkins 16 

Aaron   Ilavnes 12 

D.  F.    Mitchell 21 

H.  F.  Caldwell 17 


Frank  Adams 23 

.1.  K.  Kl.ld 1,5 

Thomas  A.  Wa.sh...  HI 

James  C.  Evans JO 

A.  H.  Mlsseldlue...  19 

W.  (}.  Nelson 29 

M.  Ci.  t^inglelon 23 

1.  li.  Redd 11 

G.  B.  1).  Bernardo..  37 

•I.  W.  Leg.' 3 

lliomas  if.  Jones..  10 

.1.  W.  Eldridge 12 

J.  J.  Ilalllejd 14 

Henry   Briual 8 

H.  G.  Poe 10 

John  Ewlng 7 

M.  J.  Townley 3 

W.  M.  G  laves 10 

T.  B.  iMurphy 5 

F.  M.  Dixon 3 

H.  Eshbaugh 25 

A.  W.  McPherson..  19 

Albert  Newman 26 

W.  C.  Headlee 13 

James  E.  Payne 5 

Wm.Newland 2 

Wm.  T.  Hickman..  11 
Wm.  T.  Dale 5 

D.  \V.  Robertson...  10 
Thomas  H.  Boyd...    2 

J.  B.  McGahon 2 

T.  H.Byrd 6 

Robert  Terrill 8 

W.  B  Wright 9 

A.  Reeves 10 

M.  G.  Stubblefleld..    1 

Amos  Riley 3 

V.  P.  Kelley 11 

J.  F.  Ramsey 8 

T.  B.  Myers 6 

James  Branch 7 

C.  F.  Shessard 4 

Wm.  Riehl 7 

J.  B.  Furguson 5 

S.  M.  Wayman 2 

W.  C.  Downing 4 

R.   C.  Newport 1 

V.  T.  Morse 1 

S.  F.  Gaty 11 

C.  W.  Fitch 2 

G.  M.  Ramsom 5 

N.  J.  Coleman 5 

M.    Cunningham...    2 

W.  A.  Hoggsett 2 

James  A.  Smith 5 

W.  D.  Poison 4 

E.  W.  Gamble 4 

George  Frank 4 

F.  Kiekel 7 

P.  W.  Rudd 4 

Wm.  Cochran 2 

W.  A.  Thornbaugh    5 

W.  W.  Perkins 6 

J.  Q,.  Johnson 4 


43^ 


Patrons  of  Hiisbandjy. 


MISSOURI— Continued. 

W.  R.  Slack 2 

Benjamin  Bolt 1 

T.  B,  Turnbaugli...    4 
"W.  R.  Davenport...    1 

J.   J.  Nichols 1 

George  Paulding...    4 

J.  F.  Jackson 2 

E.  G.  Miller 2 

J.  T.  Watson l 

N.  W.  Courtney 2 

A.  Bisplinghofl' 7 

James  Gillett 1 

I  W.Pennington  .    5 

M.  O.  Taylor 2 

W.  D.  Bloys 3 

\V.  O.  Love 1 

J.  M.  Allen 5 

W.  P.  Greenlee 1 

C.  P.  Kirtley l 

H.  J.  Granneraan..    1 

D.P.Dyer 1 

John  Cameron 1 

NEBRASKA. 

J.  H.  Painter 16 

W.  D.  Wilson 3 

E.  H.  Noxon 4s 

John    Devine 3 

Wra.  McCuio: 47 

Wni.  B.  Porter 21 

W.  W.  Tilton 6 

P.  J.  Hall 1 

T.  P.  Folsoni 7 

J.  P.  Loder 9 

Joseph  McClure 8 

Wm.  C.  Brown 9 

S.  P.  Moblev 27 

J.  B.  Elliott ;u 

S.  I.  Hart 14 

Win.  D.  Price 3.5 

Wm.  Robb 12 

J.  A.   Graves I7 

James  S.  Robbins..  22 
S.  J.  Geddes 27 

E.  P.  Swain 9 

J.  R.  Lafler 1 

W.  P.  Lansh 4 

K.  E.  Farmer 3 

N.  A.  Shaw 2o 

D.  T.  Moore 8 

Wm.  McClure 5 

N.  W.  Plymate 1.5 

Thomas  Brown 10 

Wm.  Blakelev 1!) 

Wm.  S.  Randall 10 

H.  Marshall li) 

F.  M.  Timblin 9 

J.  A.  Beltzer 5 

C.  B.  Sprague 9 

R.  A.  Kennedy 1 

A.K.White 6 

Frank  Force 4 

Charles  Sang 11 


A.  D.  Rust 2 

Allen  Root 4 

B.  F.  Clay 1 

R.  S.  Langley 9 

C.  E.  Han.son 1 

James  Bolder l 

C.  P.  Dick 4 

W.  F.  Richardson..    6 

G.  A.  Abbott 4 

W.  Bridge 3 

S.  H.  Coats 6 

J.  T.  Morris 8 

S.  G.  Schooner 6 

O.  F.  Brown 2 

W.  B.  Stone 2 

J.Humphreys 3 

P.  F.  Warden 5 

E.  P.  Swan l 

David  McCarty 1 

L.  Clark l 

Wm.  H.  Berger 3 

W.  H.  Baliman 2 

Peter  Harrison I 

D.  H.  Delano 3 

NEVADA. 

J.  M.  Hamilton 4 

A.  J.  Hatch 4 

NEW   JERSEY. 

O.  H.  Kelley l 

G.  W.  Thompson...  18 

J.  C.  Abbott 1 

J.  Wilkinson 10 

Wm.  Hancock 6 

C.  A.  Rulon 6 

J.  M.Harris 5 

J.  W.  Dickinson 7 

J.  P.  Stewart 2 

A.  M.  Risdon 8 

S.T.Miller 3 

Charles   Woodnut..  3 

M.  Whitehead 6 

E.    Howland 1 

J.    J.    Broken 2 

Daniel  Wyker 3 

R.  W.  Pratt 1 

NEW  HAMPSHIRE. 

Eben  Thompson...  10 

J.  C.  Abbott 1 

C.  C.    Shaw 17 

S.  Clogston 1 

C.  Rochemont 2 

D.  T.  Chase 4 

J.  T.  Hays 1 

NEW  YORK. 

O.  H.  Keller 1 

G.  D.  Hinckley I 

C.  Paulk 3 

J.  T.  Corners 3 

C.  D.  Beeman 5 


L.  Fulton 9 

J.  C.  Abbott 1 

J.  W.  Tamblin 5 

A.  H.  Hall 10 

Robert  Farley,  Jr...    1 

T.  A.  Thompson 2 

A.  St.  Clair 2 

A.  W.  Grippen 17 

M.  L.  Graves l 

George  Sprague 46 

Jesse  Lyon 25 

Ira  Porter 7 

H.  O.  Butler 2 

James  H.  Lee 10 

W.  G.  Hitchcock...    3 

S.  R.  Pratt 7 

R.  Eddie l 

E.  W.  Stewart 3 

J.  H.  Babcock 1 

J.  Demraick 1 

S.  A.  Street 0 

J.  W.  Strang 2 

S.  Terry 9 

L.  A.  Parmer 6 

Wm.  Savage 3 

J.  B.  Vankirsen 5 

Guy  Shaw 3 

Terry  Hudson 11 

J.  A.  Bartlett 5 

A.  S.  Caperon 1 

B.  Weed 2 

A.   J.  Sandus. 6 

P.  P.  Paddock 1 

R.  Willing 3 

C.L.Todd 2 

Wm.  Kinney 5 

E.  W.  Watson 2 

J.  W.  Goddell 2 

E.  G.  South  wick 2 

M.  B.  Riggs 2 

S.  S.  Gregory 14 

Benjamin  Golder...    1 

Thomas  Todd 1 

Milton  Rude 1 

G.  Bentry 1 

R.  K.  Stone 3 

W.  A.  Armstrong...    1 

NORTH  CAROLINA. 

D.  Wyatt  Aiken....  21 
C.  R.  Jones H 

E.  C.  Davidson 42 

J.  S.  Long 71 

G.  W.  Lawrence 3 

J.  W.  Halu 1 

E.  W.  Pon 2S 

.1.  F.  Askew 1 

Jas.  M.  Means 36 

G.  Z.  French 2 

W.  F.  Thorn 19 

B.  H.  Bardin 1 

J.  A.  Williams 9 

J.  B.  Smith 34 

J.  H.  Myroser 3 


List  of  Deputies. 


439 


N.  CAROLINA— Cont'd. 

R.  W.King 5 

J.  U.  MciVIillen 2J 

T.  H.  Robinson 30 

Wm.T.  Hliipp 1 

T.  A.  Tlioinpson 2 

N.  A.  Ranisov 12 

J.  K.  HuhIks (i 

C.  T.  Koniegay 3 

H.  II.  Canniuly 9 

R.  II.  Roundtree 2 

H.  a.  KliiUiier 7 

A.  .1.  Kllington 2 

il.  B.  Estes 11 

D.  A.  Montgomery  3 

H.  I'ortruni 3 

H.  D.  Robinson 4 

W.  H.  Meares 10 

G.  W.  Mathes 2 

J.  M.  McKinnen 5 

J.  R.  Logan 1 

W.  J.  Tt-ague 4 

D.  F.  Mclver 3 

(i.  W.  Thompson...  7 

L.  P.  Erwiu 2 

M.J.  Hunt 4 

\Vm.  M(  riitt 3 

Peyton  Bissett 1 

I.  L.  Williams 2 

A.  E.  Powe 5 

Jesse  A.  Cooper 2 

P.  C.  Carlton 2 

y.W.  Newell 6 

M.  L.  Harris 1 

W.  B.  Clement 1 

W.  M.  Kincaid 2 

M.  A.  Bledsoe 1 

M.  T.  Whltaker 1 

Jesse  S.  8iiiith 1 

ONTARIO. 

Eben  Thompson 1.5 

yamuel  J.  Kelley...    1 

OHIO. 

O.  H.Kellej' 1 

D.  S.  Curtiss 3 

J.  T.  Miller 2 

W.  Rtiers 10 

S.  H.  Ellis 59 

John  Hennon 4 

Henry  McDowell...  31 

T.  A.  Thompson 5 

D.  M.  Stewart 14 

L.H.Whitman 12 

J.  M.  Stressler 3 

Simeon  Moon 19 

W.  W.  England 6 

J.  W.  Murphy 2 

Newton  Rector 11 

J.  W.  Oldaker 32 

V.  C.  Stiers 14 

C.Stewart 7 

J.  B.  Robbins 27 


W.  H.  Stokes 

n.  W.  Sution 

lAiwi.s  Mciise 

<i.  B.  Hiiiilcr 

S.  H.  I'lupps 

A.  Fenner 

W.  A.  Byal 

Newill  Kerr 

W.  Williamson 

.1.  J.  Tutlle 

John  Brown 

Samuel  Lulz 

Jas.  Swinnerton 

A.  .1.  Banks 

.).  W.  Barrack 

Thos.  P.  Shields 

S.  A.  Johnston 

H.  R.  Poller 

W.  F.  Williams 

W.  T.  Bufkle 

George  Russell 

J.  P.  Sheuck 

D.  L.Day 

M.  H.  Hayes 

W.  C.  Kinnen 

Johti  Stroup.. 

E.  M.  Rice 

P.  W.  Ounkle 

Z.  T.  Guthrie 

N.J.  McGrew 

S.  T.  Comfort 

A.  E.  Goodrich 

Ja.s.  II.  Hess 

L.  D.  Cron 

O.  V.  Cramer 

A.  P.  Axlell 

O.  P.  Laird 

H.  F.  Cook 

J.  S.  D'-morest 

M.  A.  .Malster 

Wm.  Ru.ssler 

Daniel  Geiger 

N.  Nettleton 

G.  W.  Eicher 

O.  U.  Woodward 

Park  Snodgrass 

G.  L.  Garsher 

L.  A.  Welch 

J.  W.  Arnold 

W.  W.  Richardson 

W.  W.  Miller 

J.  P.  Marsh 

Jolin  Harris 

H.  R.  Beach 

E.  Elliott. 

Wm.  Lacj'^ 

W.  P.  Critchfleld... 

Wra. Funk 

J.  A.  Frost 

J.  W.  Meek 

E.  M.  Conklin 

J.  H.  Garber 

P.  M.  Dix 

D.  Pollock 

Geo.  Putnam 


W.  N.  Smith 0 

M.Dl.sli.r 2 

10.  Cull)frls(>n 8 

.J.  A.  PniiKle 4 

G.  W.  Kile 3 

J.  G.  Fili-n 4 

R.  M.  R.-cd 1 

D.  C.  Brooks 0 

J.  B.  Violet 8 

J'rank  Ciark 4 

Wm.  Media 1 

L.  Boggs 1 

11.  W.  S.ukett 1 

DaniidSavre 2 

W.  C.  Sut'llff. 3 

AmosGriinth 1 

A.  W.  Piott 1 

Will.  Bunchy 1 

J.  A.  Wiulspear 1 

OREGON. 

W.  J.  Campbell a5 

R.  P.  Olds 5 

N.  W.  Garretsou....    I 

W.  II.  Nash 1 

Edward  Forbes 17 

Wm.  Cvrus 5 

H.  N.  Hill 17 

R.  M.  Gurney 13 

B.  A.  Wiizel 9 

T.  B.  Ilumplireys...    9 

E.  E.  Fanning 6 

A.  Simpson 4 

Jas.  Tatom 4 

Jacob  Johnson 8 

Daniel  Clark 12 

A.  B.  Henry (j 

Frank  Slielton 13 

J.  H.  Smith 1 

D.  S.  K.  Busick (i 

J.  MoUie 2 

R.  W.  Morrison 1 

J.  M.  Mclutire 1 

PENNSYLVANIA. 

LukeEger 3 

G.  W.  Thompson...    1 
J.  Wilkinson 19 

E.  Z.  Griesemer 14 

N.  O.  Naille 2 

D.  B.  Mauger 8 

Frank  Porter 3-5 

J.  I.  Carter 13 

R.  H.Thomas 18 

Jos.  T.  Miller 1 

Jas.  C.  Currj' 9 

H.  H.  Brown 24 

Henry  Black 2 

B.  C.  Dawney 7 

F.  W.  Heckel 3 

Ira  Stetler 3 

S.  W.  Buck 54 

B.  F.  Hallowell 1 

W.  W.  Parker 7 


44-0 


Patrons  of  Husbandly, 


PENNA.— Continued. 

H.  C.  Demming 14 

M.  H.  Brendlinger..    1 

J.  N.  Snyder 1 

E.  S.  >Jarsh 1 

Moses  Brinton 3 

W.  H.  Reinhart 10 

1).  C.  Kennedy Z\ 

C.  P.  Stein metz 8 

Asa  Battles 19 

G.  W.  Skinner 1 

D.  A.  Evans 9 

T.  A.  Tliompson 1 

L.  Riione 11 

J.  H.  Breckbill 1 

George  Hyde 4 

R.  S.  Searie 6 

.s.  B.  Mercer 3 

T.  S.  Strohecker.  . ..    5 
11.  C.  Jolinson 5 

C.  E.  Gladding 4 

Jerome  Plummer..  5 

J.  T.  Elwood 9 

J.  B.  Henry 2 

Jolin  Day 3 

Robert  Lesher 2 

R.  F.  Messinger 2 

E.J.  Gaynor 1 

G.  J.  Eldred 3 

E.  S.  Bumpus 1 

John  Stevenson 2 

CM.  Lesher 1 

J.  W.  Vanoliet 1 

J.  H.  McCoually 1 

SOUTH  CAROLINA. 

W.  E.  .Simmons 1 

D.  Wyatt  Aiken 6S 

Benj.  AUston 1 

J.  A.  Barksdale....209 

W.  J.  Pringle 1 

D.  H.  Jacques 3 

VV.  A.  Easterlin 2 

J.  S.  Ricliardson 8 

W.  F.  Barton 3 

G.  D.  Peake 3 

E.  M.Law 1 

T.  \V.  Woodward...  2 

L.  A.  Harper 3 

J.  L.  Sliuler 1 

Julius  Mills 3 

Frank  Moore 1 

E.  R.  Mclver 2 

C.  O.  Marshall 1 

D.  C.  Tompkins 3 

Thomas  Taylor 1 

TENNESSEE. 

W.  A.  Simpson 6 

A.  J.  Vauglian 13 

A.  J.  D.  Thurston...  25 
Wm.T.  Hender.son    1 

W.  J.  Davidson 9 

J.  L.  Fly 40 


H.C.  Burnett G 

T.  H.  Bell 1 

Wm.  Maxwell 115 

K.  G.  Kyle 11 

John  Lytle 31 

Win.  AicMurray 25 

G.  F.  Farrow 2 

Thomas  G.  Mosely  50 

W.  F.  Mitchell 9 

S.  Carmichael 23 

S.  A.  Mabanse 13 

I.  O.  Griffith 72 

Wm.  Askew 6 

S.  C.  Hearu 9 

Jas.  De  Bon 19 

J.  S.  Dickerson 20 

C.  W.  Charlton 100 

J.  M.  Games 13 

J.  K.  P.  Blackburn  14 

J.  M.  Head 5 

E.  A.  Wilson 5 

J.  B.  Cording 3 

S.R.Brooks 7 

Jacob  Leaf. 5 

B.  M.  Tillman 33 

C.B.Rogers 8 

J.  M.  Townes 11 

H.  K.  Bryson « 

J.  Q.  Spain 1 

T.  J.Eastes 6 

J.  M.  Bowen 10 

W.  H.  Stephenson..    7 

G.  H.  McMillan 6 

Jacob  Hamilton....    1 

A.  H.  Gordon 2 

S.  S.  Hendiburgh...    5 

G.  M.  Fizer 1 

H.H.Hubbard 2 

Robert  P.  Rhea 7 

E.  A.  Tavlor 4 

J.  C.  Hodgers 1 

J.  B.  Walton 1 

A.  M.  Johnson 4 

W.C.Day 10 

T.  M.  Hogan 4 

A.  R.  Potts 7 

L.  D.  Cade 29 

W.  H.  Nelson 3 

C.  M.Thompson 12 

D.  W.  Baird 17 

J.H.Biffle 17 

R.  A.  Kellar 9 

I.E.  Shipp 19 

J.  J.  W.  Payne 3 

O.  H.  Ogden 2 

G.  P.  Finsley 2 

J.  M.  Carmel 1 

G.  B.  McLeskey 2(> 

G.  W.  Morton 10 

R.  J.  Bomer 8 

W.J.  Miller 6 

Wm.  Owen 4  I 

J.  E.  Dodson 3 

R.  H.  Ogburn 23 

S.  M.  Reynolds 5  I 


W.  E.  Sloan 4 

M.L.Clark 3 

A.  D.  Wheeler 5 

J.A.Jones 6 

J.  M.  Meek 2 

Henry  A.  Moss 1 

J.  M.  Lansden 5 

S.  A.  McMackin 1 

J.  M.  Morgan 1 

J.H.Morris 3 

J.  P.  Scott 1 

Jas.  Worthingtou...  1 

W.M.  Clack 1 

H.  Q.  Walker 1 

TEXAS. 

H.  H.  Parker 4 

C.  E.  Keller 1 

R.  A.  Baird 17 

P.  T.  Caraway 4 

J.  W.  G.  Maxey 1 

E.  Hovencamp 2 

J.  M.Crockett 2S 

J.  B.  Johnson IS 

N.  L.  Norton 30 

R.  P.  Harrison H 

J.  R.  Harwell 1 

J.M.Clark 1 

S.  N.  Daniels 46 

W.  T.  C.  Lane 17 

J.S.  Riley 20 

T.  L.  Balleu 29 

G.  W.Ingram 32 

James  Shaw 1 

W.  W.Lang 13 

W.  B.  Tucker 26 

J.  M.  Foster 20 

J.  H.Earle 31 

A.  J.  Hanson 33 

J.  T.  Ratcliffe 15 

J.  L.  Caldwell 38 

T.V.Baker 44 

N.  A.  TUompson 3 

A.  J.  Rose 30 

J.  T.  Havnes 2.5 

E.  R.  Stiff. 10 

W.  G.  Wood 15 

S.  G.  Smith 4 

M.S.Wallace 17 

Wm.  Warren 37 

Wm.  A.  Wortham  19 

James  Orr 38 

J.  A.  Duncan 7 

J.  T.  Price 7 

L.  E.  Gillett 19 

Wm.  F.  Don 14 

J.  L.  Ammons 8 

D.  A.  Dickard 28 

James  Moore 8 

J.  Hill 33 

Jas.  S.  Rains 9 

S.  S.  Johsson 10 

R.  N.  We'isigor 6 

Wm.  Cunningham    6 
J.  M.  Robinson 6 


List  of  Deputies. 


44T 


TEXAS — Continued. 

Thomas  Jackson....  1 

AVm.  Carton 2 

E.  M.  Fly .3 

J.  M.  Harrison 10 

R.  .1.  I'atton 3 

H.  H.  Prnitt 2 

A,  M.  Walts 1 

VERMONT. 

J.Lawrence R 

O.  H.  Kelley 1 

Eben  Tlionipson...  14 

W.  H.  Carr       1 

W.  G.  Bartlett 1 

E.Gile 5 

E.  P.  Colton 6 

L.  S.  Griswold 6 

W.  H.  McAllister...  10 

E.  D.  Boyden 71 

T.  A.  Tliompson 1 

J.  L.  Coburn 1 

Z.  E.  Jamison 20 

E.  Barnum 2 

E.  M.  Barnard 1 

J.  E.  Deming 2 

Joseph  Don 1 

T.  C.  Naranaore 4 

VIRGINIA. 

J.  Leffingcot 1 

E.  J.  Ohr 2 

D.  S.  Curti.ss 1.5 

J.  W.  Morton 40 

W.  B.  Westbrook..  2S 
M.  W.  Hazelwood...    2 

T.  O.Graves 12 

A.  M.  Moore 19 

George  Koniei* 32 

P.  W.  Chiles 21 

Wm.  McComb U 

T.  T.  Tredway 29 

J.  W.White 12 

J,  J.  Wilkerson. ...  31 

T.  A.  Thompson 2 

J.P.  Sohermerhorn    4 
J.  H.  Hobson 15 

E.  D.  Philips 7 

E.  B.  Goode 7 

W.  H.  Basdam 7 

T.  N.  Merrill 6 

W.  F.  Walker 2 

J.  O.  Chappel 15 

J.  C.  Featnerston...  31 

D.W.Watson 4 

S.  A.  WiLson 9 

A.  Borst 7 

W.  M.  Ambler 8 

Benjamin  Haden...    5 


W.  F.  Smith 1 

Isaac  Winston 7 

J.  W.L.'wcIIen 3 

W.  F.  Th()mi>sou...  4 

J.  M.  Dmin s 

.T.  M.  ]-;vuiis 2 

J.  E.  lOshridge 4 

P.  IIairstf)M  3 

E.  G.  Caufinan 2 

W.U.  Bennett 2 

WASHINGTON    TER. 

N.  W.  Oarretson 4 

R.  P.  Olds 1 

George  Hunter 8 

Frank  Shelton 1 

Daniel  Clark 5 

E.  L.  Smith 13 

W.  M.  Shelton 5 

H.  M.  Knapp 9 

.T.  Horton 7 

Henry  Spalding 2 

Robert  Mays 1 

M.  /.  Goodall 1 

J.S.Bozarth 1 

WEST  VIRGINIA. 

E.J.  Ohr 11 

S.  G.  Monroe 1 

A.  P.  Thompson 4 

J.M.Oldham 2 

B.M.  Kitchen 6 

G.  D.  Wittshire 1 

G.  O.  Sperren l 

W.  B.  Daniels 3 

E.  L.  Coburn 6 

J.  E.  Freet 1 

W.  S.  Wheeler 42 

R.  A.  Douglas 2 

V.  M.  Prior 12 

M.  W.  Morrison 10 

J.  E.  Hall 13 

W.  M.  Bird 1 

Major  T.  Smith 2 

P.  F.  McCullough...    3 

M.  S.  Kirtley 6 

A.  Workman  2 

J.  T.  Cunningham    2 

WISCONSIN. 

W.  H.  Burnhara 22 

I.  J.  Iloile 1 

W.  N.  Kelley 12 

J.  ('.  Abbott 16 

S.  W.  King 15 

James  Brainerd 2<S 

George  Stevens 1 

J.  M.  McCoy 2 

James  Allen 10 


P.  IT.  Morrill 3 

J.  \V.  Letllllgwrll...   U 

Fd.  Rfvnolils 2 

C.  W.  Fostvr 11 

.b)lui  liinl 2 

I>.  I-.  Cnrnoll 5 

CM.  Treat 3 

S.  Huiigcrford 42 

K.   Fariihain 10 

H.  C.  Shorwln 11 

Francis  Uifchle 3 

David  Willlam.s 3 

Charles  Watson 22 

E.  H.  Edwards IS 

J.  M.  Kellogg 12 

E.  B.  Bolons 3 

G.  N.Shattuck 2 

T.S.Jordan IJ 

L.  W.  Wright (5 

J.  G.  S.  Ilayward...    4 

W.  O.  Fedderly 1 

G.  S.  Putnam 2 

C.  M.  Brainard 9 

C.D.Parker 8 

I..  G.  Wood 29 

R.  J.  Day 2 

A.Sherman 6 

A.  C.  Tuttle 4 

R.E.Stone 5 

Will.  Hopkins 7 

N.  S.  Hollister 7 

p;.  L.  Rupnow 6 

W.  C.  Williams 4 

J.  C.Martin 11 

C.  IT.  Mero 0 

J.  H.  Hubbard 7 

S.  A.  Clark 11 

F.  W.  Hitchings 8 

Wm.  Young 3 

A.  S.  Bennett 6 

H.  J.  Rohn 4 

J.  W.  Park 12 

A.  C.  Nettle 2 

K.  Scott 7 

J.Cory 24 

H.  E.  Huxley 4 

H.  Haseltine 4 

W.  H.  Cook 3 

J.  A.  Clark 3 

W.  H.  Kountz 1 

D.  S.  Watson 1 

S.  N.  Jones 1 

J.  M.  Hallock 1 

COLORADO. 

J.  L.  Brown 41 

W.  H.  Hickman 9 

James  L.  Wilbur....    5 

R.  Q.  Tenny 3 

A.  Pool 2 


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